Hoops Recruiting (2011)

TGer'nLHornLand

Seems a little crazy to be talking about a recruiting class that's 2+ years out, but what the heck. Trent Johnson's Tigers have a little recruiting momentum going, as smart, good recruits are beginning to see what kind of program CTJ is running and what kind of kids they can become at LSU these days.

John Isaac, only a sophomore, but a man-child at that, is a 6'4" 215 lb 2011 SG recruit that went ahead and committed to Trent Johnson. A kid that has been playing for Pickering in LA since the seventh grade, is already a leader on a team of seniors, and has a pretty well rounded, all-district line of 18.5 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 8.6 apg and shoots 59 percent from the field. The kid is expected to grow some more and carries a 3.5 gpa.

http://lsu.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=921872

A very nice AAU summer last year found him getting early attention from a lot of big schools, and when LSU offered, the kid (along with his family) just felt it was the right between him and CTJ. Also, Isaac made a comment that the fan support returning to the PMAC during the games he attended made an impression.

Gotta love it.
LSU IS A BASKETBALL SCHOOL. BE A PART OF THE TRENT JOHNSON ERA.

mrgreen21

I think this a a big pick up for a few different reasons. 1 he's from LA 2. he's been starting varsity B-ball since 7th grade, with that much experience he's not going to be your average freshman, may even be able to provide leadership his first year 3. he's in 10th grade and he's only going to get bigger and stronger and hopefully smarter. His sophomore stats are pretty good and show's that he has an all around game i'd be willing to bet this guy is top 50 before it's all said and done 4. he seems to be a high character guy who carries a 3.5 gpa. Looks like a guy CTJ can mold!

TGer'nLHornLand

Yes, would generally agree. If there's anyone you give an offer to that early out (and normally CTJ would tell you he doesn't do it that often), you give it to a kid that obviously is very mature for his year.

There's actually been a fair amount of press out on John Isaac b/c of his AAU ball this past year... Here's more on what folks have had to say about him:

ESPN ranks him with a 92 grade, which is high for 2011 kid (http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recru...6season%3d2011)

Here's the Advocate's take:

http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/l...?showAll=y&c=y

What's interesting about this kid is that at 6'5", the kid plays a lot on the outside, when conventional wisdom at a small LA high school is to put these kinds of kids down low. In fact the kid shot 59% from the field and much of that may be at a "power point" position (although he's got to work on his 3p fg %). According to the article,

Thomas (HS Coach) said when Pickering sets up its half-court offense, it’s often Isaac who handles the ball at the top of the offense.

Thomas said Isaac shot over 50 percent from the floor and 70 percent at the free throw line. He’s also an explosive athlete who Thomas said had a 360-degree dunk in a game this year.

“I’ve never seen a sophomore do that and I haven’t seen many seniors that can do that,...”

If that's not enough to get you to drool, I don't know what is needed.

Other 2011 news includes another good LA player that has been on the LSU radar, 5'10" PG Nick Syrie, whose video has been up on Rivals for a little while now.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/video/recrui...f339f875dcc661

He's a nice PG prospect with some decent quickness and passing ability. If the Phil Pressey thing doesn't work for us next year, you see the gap between the Bo Spencer-Chris Bass era to a potential Nick Syrie signing not being a huge gap, perhaps.

As for beyond 2011 (and no, I don't think we should start a 2012 thread just yet), here is a glimpse of what's coming. ALOT of nice players in LA already getting pub...

http://www.hoopsreport.com/news/even...llamericancamp
LSU IS A BASKETBALL SCHOOL. BE A PART OF THE TRENT JOHNSON ERA.

mrgreen21

Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting - Vegas youth movement

article says a few things about Ryan Anderson who has LSU on his list.

TGer'nLHornLand

So, ESPN's new Top60 is out for 2011, and John Isaac just misses the list...

College Basketball Recruiting - ESPNU 100 - ESPN

and no other LA kids are up there. So, the glass half full folks will at least say that LSU wrapped up already the top LA player for 2011, while the glass half empty folks will say why hasn't Trent gotten commitments from some of the Top60?

For 2012, LA does have one player getting headlines and that's Ricardo Gathers, 6'6" 235lb man-child who is number 11 on their Top25 for 2012. Trent is I hope all over this one.

TGer'nLHornLand

So, I just came to this revelation, in running the numbers layed out in the 2010 hoops recruiting thread (call me slow ).

I think that the 2011 class becomes a pretty short discussion depending on what happens in this upcoming 2010. Assuming Noel Johnson comes to LSU, Trent signs a full class in 2010, and assuming no one leaves, we'd essentially have only 1 schollie to use in 2011 (only Bo Spencer graduates that year). That schollie is already spoken for by John Isaac. Perhaps that's one reason why John committed so early.

Obviously, there are a lot of ifs in there, but it does appear that Trent his heading towards a full class in 2010, unless he does decide strategically to keep another schollie open for 2011. That gives kids like Nick Syrie some chance to play at LSU. But, that may also explain why Trent went after a very versatile kid in John Isaac who could rotate in any guard spot and arguably could play some SF, if need be.

Let's see what happens obviously in 2010.

The following recruiting year (2012-13) opens back up with at least 3 schollies. One of whom is reserved for Ricardo Gathers.

TGer'nLHornLand

Not entirely a story about 2011, but about the future of hoops in LA and a recent showcase right there--the Elite I-10 showcase.

Enough to get you excited about the future....

2theadvocate.com | Sports | Area?s top basketball prospects converge — Baton Rouge, LA

TGer'nLHornLand

It's a slow sports time... period. But, not to completely be without some hoops news for all of the hoops fans, this story DOES affect recruiting.

The buildout of the new PMAC practice facilities continues, although final complete date may be delayed to November... so it won't be completely ready for the start of the season, and the crucial September-October fall recruiting season. Nevertheless, I think recruits can definitely begin to see what the hoops', gymnastics, volleyball, etc. teams are going to be getting. I.e., a best in SEC kind of facility. A much needed thing in basketball, and honestly, a very underrated addition to help Van and Trent recruit...

2theadvocate.com | Sports | Waiting not a problem — Baton Rouge, LA

Will be in full affect for 2011 classes and beyond.

blindside517

That was a nice article, will help CTJ with recruiting in a huge way.

bhelmLSU

Florida, LSU offer Marshall Plumlee | CITIZEN-TIMES.com | Asheville Citizen-Times

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"Nothing's more annoying than someone asking a political question during a sporting event. It's not just impolite, it's criminal. If Les Miles goes 5-for-5 in fourth-down conversions, I don't care who he votes for." James Carville

TGer'nLHornLand

Nice tidbit.

The unsaid part of the article is that head man Trent Johnson got Marshall's older brother to commit to Stanford, before he took the job at LSU. Miles Plumlee, I believe, then backed out of his commitment at Stanford and went to Duke. I think Marshall and the Plumlee family will at least take Trent's calls. Whether they are deadset on school like Duke (i.e., basketball school with academic pedigree) versus whether Marshall becomes a focal big man, with a proven coach with the ability to get him to the next level and at up and coming program like LSU, will be an interesting question. We at least know where Trent's head is at for 2011... save a 2010 schollie for 2011 and go after a big man.

blindside517

I gotta tell you, having a 7 footer downlow sounds pretty tempting to me.

TGer'nLHornLand

Still think this is a long shot, but for those hoops recruiting nuts, here is a very in-depth article on the Plumlee brothers... including Marshall. Gives you a sense of the lineage here and what this could mean for Trent's 2011 class.

Featherston: Plumlee’s Journey To Duke - Duke University Blue Devils | Official Athletics Site - GoDuke.com

Also, you should note the quotes from Miles Plumlee about Trent. VERY complimentary. For the big men recruits out there (including Marshall), pay attention. Trent DOES like big men. And, anyway, does Marshall REALLY want to just be the third Plumlee in NC?

TGer'nLHornLand

So, for all of the rumor mongers out there that may have questioned whether 2011 LSU commit John Isaac's commitment is "firm", TigerBait's recent article/interview with John should put to rest those concerns...

http://lsu.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=971958

It's a great article, and a great testament to what Trent is building at LSU. Isaac has picked up offers from the likes of USC, Texas and Oklahoma... But, he's taking a "thanks but no thanks" attitude towards them.

Gotta love it, if you're a Tiger fan!

Now, we just need Stringer and Turner to keep that positive momentum going... BE PART OF THE TRENT JOHNSON ERA.

TGer'nLHornLand

So, Rivals just released its expanded Rivals top 150 hoops ranking for the class of 2011. LSU's getting some mention/interest across several of the prospects, but depending on whether Trent signs 4 this fall, we're really only looking to add a couple of kids in the next class.

Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting - Class of 2011 hoops ranking expands to 150

Only three offers doled out to this point:

Ky Madden #15, PG
Marshall Plumlee #41, C
John Isaac (unranked ), SG/PG Committed to LSU

Others that mention LSU (but have no offers and are probably looking elsewhere):

Wayne Blackshear #18, SG
Letwann Luckett #60, SG
Thomas Gibson #111, SF/PF

It's astonishing to me that John Isaac who sports offers from LSU, Oklahoma, Texas and USC is unranked (and no LA players are) by Rivals, while ESPN has him graded pretty high. Hopefully that will change as Rivals scouts get their heads out of their ...sses.

Also, Marshall Plumlee who would be a very good fit and signing for LSU, looks largely to be visiting Midwest and ACC schools, so doesn't look good for the Tigers here.

If we sign Stringer and another wing player for 2010, I see Trent focusing a ton of effort on landing an interior player, and maybe with that focus we can turn a kid that's pretty good.

ColtsTigers

Tger, my guess is that they still haven't seen Isaac play. Last time they did this ranking a month or two ago, that is what they told an LSU fan that asked them.

If we close this 2010 class strong hopefully with Stringer and Turner, I think LSU may only sign two players in 2011. Isaac and a big man. I think they will want to keep an extra scholarship open for the Fab Five crew in 2012.

TGer'nLHornLand

So, Marshall now also has an offer from Duke...

Marshall Plumlee - College Basketball Recruiting 2011 - ESPN

Will there be three Plumlees at Duke?

TGer'nLHornLand

Thought I'd post this about Marshall Plumlee. ESPN's love affair with the kid continues...

Marshall Plumlee, the younger brother of Miles and Mason, is finding his own way on the court - ESPN

Still a long shot, but the article at least mentions the Tigers...

Tom Callender

With 2010 recruiting probably finished and with only one opening for the 2011 team (is that correct?) I would think that LSU will be aiming for a center of some kind. Who is available & who is LSU aiming at??

Tom Callender

Going to Rivals & checking on Centers for 2011 these are the top guys not committed listed -
Tyler Adams - 6-9 225# 4* Brandon Ms.
Cheir Ajou - 7-1 210# - Birimingham Alabama
Mike Byron - 6-8 San Antonio Tx
Angelo Chol - 6-8 205# 5* San Diego
There are a lot more listed, I just hope we get one good one!! Any Inside Info from anyone???

TGer'nLHornLand

Well, technically speaking, the one opening you're referring to is (1) if Trent doesn't use his last remaining 2010 schollie, and (2) if you're not counting the schollie reserved for John Isaac.

So, yes, most people following recruiting are guessing that Trent wants to save a 2010 schollie to use in 2011. The likely target is a big man to backfill what will be an upperclassman laden frontline by that time to go along with with Isaac.

As for targets, unfortunately outside of Marshall Plumlee, who's got a 2011 offer, there really aren't that many names that have been bantied about. If you look purely at "talent" you could make an argument that Trent should either use his 2010 schollie in the spring to go after a center that might still be on the board (Josh Smith, Dwight Powell, still out there), or you hold that schollie for 2012 when there will be more center prospects from the south (there are a few highly regarded TX bigs to go along with Ricardo Gathers of LA that year).

If you are primarily looking to use that schollie in 2011 though, I'd focus on Tyler Adams (MS kid who is listed anywhere from 6'9" 225 to 6'10" 250 and played on a Jackson, MS AAU team and likely knows Stringer/Courtney), maybe Chris Coleman (big bodied 260+lb center going to academy in Humble, TX), as big name recruits if Marshall Plumlee is not taking LSU seroiusly. There are other 2011 big bodies who do not hit the "high major" prospect list at this point, but it's early yet to see how they pan out so Trent has time to be patient and see what develops.

Really many of the names you've got above, I'd say are more PF prospects, and I'd like to see Trent focus on true "big men" who can play in the post.

Tom Callender

Me too... as for the list it was copied from Rivals under "Centers".

TGer'nLHornLand

I imagine that you saw LSU was entertaining 2010 LSU hoops prospect, Eric Buckner, 6'9"-10", JUCO center prospect from Gulf Coast CC this weekend?

I've got to think that this recruiting has been in the works for a while, and the kid does have an offer. Time will tell how hard Trent and staff are pushing for him.

I agree with the strategy to sign a big sooner rather than later. Just don't know how much of a project this kid is. From his offer list, obviously a lot of schools see something in him. At his size, and age, you're getting a live big body who hopefully you can mold and develop, but who can contribute sooner. Just don't know if Buckner is another Quinton Thornton guy in ability or something more.

He's probably comparable (if not better) at this stage to many of the 2011 center recruits in terms of size and athletic talent. I'd be curious though if Trent sees something more in him, and whether the kid would have to play in 2010 or could redshirt as a JUCO.

TGer'nLHornLand

As we think about 2010 and 2011 hoops recruiting, I think a quiet fact that developed recently is that Marshall Plumlee may have officially dropped LSU from contention. According to Rivals, Marshall no longer lists LSU, and he's got plenty of offers from Big 10 schools and Duke to consider.

So, you really start to look at the 2011 big man landscape, and there seems to be less and less options for LSU... Hence, it appears that Trent is playing the wait and see game with several JUCOs (and one big HSchooler) for rounding out the 2010 class. These JUCOs are prospects that are mature physically and could potentially help in 2010, 2011 and 2012 depending on whether the kids redshirt (unlikely). The names in this class seem to be Eric Buckner, Antonio Cooper, Kervin Bristol and Triton Mayberry (not a JUCO). Names to watch come spring time... Buckner is the only one with an offer, but the others, especially Bristol, may have some upside.

TGer'nLHornLand

Although it's quiet on the 2011 hoops recruiting front for LSU, other SEC schools seem to be poised for top classes.

Another Atlantic Celtics AAU player, Kevin Ware, a highly regarded SG out of GA, committed to Bruce Pearl's team after an unofficial this past weekend. He sits at the #22 player in the Rivals 2011 class. Whereas LSU once had the inkling of a pipeline into that AAU program (Graham and Harris), it seems as though Tennessee, GA, GA Tech and other local schools are trying to solidify those ties. It'd be nice to see Harris show folks what LSU can do with kids like him from GA.

LSU presumably will have one or two spots for 2011, and it's got John Isaac committed. There's apparently still some interest in guards, as Ky Madden out of AR and LeAntwan Luckett out of Miss have LSU's interest.

Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting - Future150 national camp wrap-up

With a stacked 2010 class though, it seems as though Trent may be content to see how the next class, and development of his players now, will pan out. The focus would seem to still be in bigs, although 2011 is really light on big men. Some interesting PF prospects in Texas, if Trent wants to go into the Lone Star state to establish better connections.