All Things 2014 Basketball Recruiting Thread

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per Sid:

• When outstanding guard JP Macura was at the Timberwolves basketball game the other night with his Class 4A champion Lakeville North teammates, he was asked why he chose to attend Xavier and not Minnesota. “Richard Pitino did a good job recruiting me,” he said, “but I just wanted to get away and play basketball.”

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/254836731.html?page=all&prepage=1&c=y#continue

Go Gophers!!
 

BleedGopher said:
per Sid:

• When outstanding guard JP Macura was at the Timberwolves basketball game the other night with his Class 4A champion Lakeville North teammates, he was asked why he chose to attend Xavier and not Minnesota. “Richard Pitino did a good job recruiting me,” he said, “but I just wanted to get away and play basketball.”

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/254836731.html?page=all&prepage=1&c=y#continue

Go Gophers!!
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Chris Mack's name popped up today as Cal's primary target for their head coaching vacancy. I know it was discussed earlier in conjunction with Wake Forest's interest in Mack, but might JP be looking around if Mack leaves Xavier?
 



<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Former <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Gophers&src=hash">#Gophers</a> SF target“<a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDaniels">@EvanDaniels</a>: Marial Shayok just received a release from his Letter of Intent at Marquette, per his father.”</p>— Marcus R. Fuller (@GophersNow) <a href="https://twitter.com/GophersNow/statuses/454633184609566720">April 11, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Gophers&src=hash">#Gophers</a> are, minimum, doing homework on Zach Lofton (Columbia Heights). They're intrigued. Transfer Illinois St. 2nd leading scorer.</p>— Darren Wolfson (@DarrenWolfson) <a href="https://twitter.com/DarrenWolfson/statuses/454616433482141697">April 11, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Go Gophers!!
 


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Head to <a href="http://t.co/XWZAAnOUHq">http://t.co/XWZAAnOUHq</a> to read about Ja'Keem Yates, a 2014 frontcourt prospect from Carolina that the Gophs have talked to.</p>— Ryan James (@RyanJamesMN) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanJamesMN/statuses/454639495325818880">April 11, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 




Goldy Gopher said:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Head to <a href="http://t.co/XWZAAnOUHq">http://t.co/XWZAAnOUHq</a> to read about Ja'Keem Yates, a 2014 frontcourt prospect from Carolina that the Gophs have talked to.</p>— Ryan James (@RyanJamesMN) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanJamesMN/statuses/454639495325818880">April 11, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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http://espn.go.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/132967/jakeem-yates
http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=5507222
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recruiting/player-Jakeem-Yates-150719
 


To be fair, that video is from a year ago, Yates looked like he had a decent mid range shot, had some nice post moves, did a good job of busting out of some triple teams, maybe it was the video, IDK, but the game looked slow, so I question the level of competition he faced in high school. I am sure though he faced better competition in Prep School, I know people get hung up on Stars, but on ESPN I noticed Marquette put out an offer so he can't be that bad. I think I'd rather have Konate though
 

BleedGopher said:
per Shooter:

Former Columbia Heights guard Zach Lofton, who averaged 11.3 points as a sophomore guard this season at Illinois State, plans to transfer and would like to play for the Gophers, though that's unlikely to happen.
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2nd leading scorer, but his .339 FG% & .292 3P% are not impressive. Every time I have seen him play he was a ball-hog and played no D.

Jigga?

__________

Not saying he can't distribute or play D... I just have never seen it the handful of times I've watched him play.
 



HOOP DREAMS said:
2nd leading scorer, but his .339 FG% & .292 3P% are not impressive. Every time I have seen him play he was a ball-hog and played no D.

Jigga?
Click to expand...


So, he would get 0 playing time for Pitino if this were true while wearing the maroon and gold. If he can score and coach P can get in his ear about defense and sharing the ball. Big win.

I know nothing about this kid, so if the above is completely impossible of happening based on some of the responses, I didn't take that into consideration.
 

UWOle said:
Chris Mack's name popped up today as Cal's primary target for their head coaching vacancy. I know it was discussed earlier in conjunction with Wake Forest's interest in Mack, but might JP be looking around if Mack leaves Xavier?
Click to expand...

That would make sense to a lot of us, but apparently people in the know say it's not happening even if Mack leaves. I really don't understand it, but what do I know.
 

HOOP DREAMS said:
2nd leading scorer, but his .339 FG% & .292 3P% are not impressive. Every time I have seen him play he was a ball-hog and played no D.

Jigga?
Click to expand...

Some valid points. Shooting % does not seem impressive at all.

You should probably keep in mind, Illinois State was the least experienced team in the country. 9 newcomers, only 2 players with very limited D1 experience, no seniors.

It took Lofton and the whole team some time to adjust.
Over the last 10 games he was 40% from 3 and proved he can hit from anywhere on the court.

He was the 2nd leading scorer while getting about the 5/6 amount of minutes, a little over 20mpg...

idk when the last time you saw him play but as a D1 player his defense was good and any volume shooting that took place this season was out of necessity, trying to shoot his team back into games. (which he did various times).
heres an example of him trying to shoot his team back into there only conference tourney game, because the Redbirds couldn't get anything going, the annoucers also praise his on-ball defense.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTtl7U4wd9c

But I think we'll all get a close look at him and be able to judge when he puts on a Gophers uniform.
I hear an offer is almost certain.
I think pitino can mold him, but thats just my simple opinion.
 

Lofton shot 47% from the field and 35% from 3 the year he played JUCO before going to ISU.
 

I don't know if JP will go elsewhere other than Xavier if Mack leaves, but he will not be coming to play for the Gophers. I still think there are at least one or two guys we are recruiting that very few, if any of us, have heard about.
 

rychart45 said:
I don't know if JP will go elsewhere other than Xavier if Mack leaves, but he will not be coming to play for the Gophers. I still think there are at least one or two guys we are recruiting that very few, if any of us, have heard about.
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Wish JP would consider the Gophers, love that kids game.
 

rychart45 said:
I still think there are at least one or two guys we are recruiting that very few, if any of us, have heard about.
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This is a good point. Were McNeil and Lil'Dre "on the radar" prior to signing last year?
"We're out of towels, and I'm too old to go diving into any search functionality on this site."

EDIT: As far as I can tell, the earliest mention of Lil'Dre on GopherHole wasn't until April 23rd last year. Can anyone dispute that? Point being, our best player this year (IMO) wasn't even on the radar until late April.

http://www.forums.gopherhole.com/bo...s-I-like-Minn-a-lot&highlight=deandre+mathieu
 

Jigga said:
Some valid points. Shooting % does not seem impressive at all.

You should probably keep in mind, Illinois State was the least experienced team in the country. 9 newcomers, only 2 players with very limited D1 experience, no seniors.

It took Lofton and the whole team some time to adjust.
Over the last 10 games he was 40% from 3 and proved he can hit from anywhere on the court.

He was the 2nd leading scorer while getting about the 5/6 amount of minutes, a little over 20mpg...

idk when the last time you saw him play but as a D1 player his defense was good and any volume shooting that took place this season was out of necessity, trying to shoot his team back into games. (which he did various times).
heres an example of him trying to shoot his team back into there only conference tourney game, because the Redbirds couldn't get anything going, the annoucers also praise his on-ball defense.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTtl7U4wd9c

But I think we'll all get a close look at him and be able to judge when he puts on a Gophers uniform.
I hear an offer is almost certain.
I think pitino can mold him, but thats just my simple opinion.
Click to expand...

He's intriguing. Has a pretty quick release and nice looking jumper. He's also got good size. I asked this before, but don't think it was answered by anyone....would he have to sit out next year? I'd assume so, but wasn't sure.
 

Jigga said:
I hear an offer is almost certain.
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That would surprise me, but with two years of eligibility it might be worth the gamble. He's strong... very skilled offensively, I've seen his range and his stroke is smooth. If he really can play good defense that would change my opinion on him. When I've seen him play he wasn't trying very hard, so I'm not a good judge of what he can do when he wants to play both ends of the court.
 

BballJones said:
He's intriguing. Has a pretty quick release and nice looking jumper. He's also got good size. I asked this before, but don't think it was answered by anyone....would he have to sit out next year? I'd assume so, but wasn't sure.
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"intrigued" is the word that the news cast used and Darren Wolfson via twitter, when describing the Gopher's interest in him.

He is also getting interest from other Big 10 teams, the Big East, and SEC.

I'd assume he'd have to sit a year, but Joey King was granted a waiver coming from the MVC, maybe he will too.
I'd like to see him help fill the void left by Hollins this upcoming season.
 

Don't be surprised if the Gophers take a look at Lofton. He was released from his scholarship so I assume he'd be immediately eligible. Obvious scorer. Pitino type of player.
 

I like the Gaston Diendhiou recruit. After throwing in the towel after the Djuan Piper fiasco, I am back in.
 

SoMpls said:
Don't be surprised if the Gophers take a look at Lofton. He was released from his scholarship so I assume he'd be immediately eligible. Obvious scorer. Pitino type of player.
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Released... as in tossed out the program or granted a release?
 

SoMpls said:
Don't be surprised if the Gophers take a look at Lofton. He was released from his scholarship so I assume he'd be immediately eligible. Obvious scorer. Pitino type of player.
Click to expand...

Being released from your scholarship doesn't mean you're immediately eligible. The only way he can be immediately eligible is if he graduated already, or if he has a special circumstance (medical, family issue, etc.) like Joey King received.

Joe Coleman/Chip Armelin, etc. were released from their scholarship, but had to sit out a year.

Go Gophers!!
 

BleedGopher said:
Being released from your scholarship doesn't mean you're immediately eligible. The only way he can be immediately eligible is if he graduated already, or if he has a special circumstance (medical, family issue, etc.) like Joey King received. Joe Coleman/Chip Armelin, etc. were released from their scholarship, but had to sit out a year. Go Gophers!!
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Is it the same if the program takes your scholarship away though? Not sure that's what he meant, but since they are year to year, if your school tells you not to come back next year do you have to sit?
 

SoMpls said:
Don't be surprised if the Gophers take a look at Lofton. He was released from his scholarship so I assume he'd be immediately eligible. Obvious scorer. Pitino type of player.
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Yes, Lofton makes sense in light of some things I've heard Pitino say - somewhat in jest but with a hint of seriousness as well. He says he turns on the TV and sees some Minnesota product pouring in 3's from all over the floor and gets depressed wondering where those guys are. So I think he's looking for some of those guys.
 

I really have no interest in adding another wing that is under 6'5. I'd rather bank the scholarship than commit it to this guy for 2 or 3 years.
 

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