THE RECRUITING GUY : Hogs staff tries its luck at Las Vegas tournaments
Posted on Thursday, July 24, 2008
LAS VEGAS — Name a college basketball coach, and he’s probably here or will be soon. The city is hosting three summer basketball tournaments put on by the major shoe companies — Reebok, Adidas and Nike — and Tuesday was the first day college coaches could evaluate prospects. They will be able to do so until July 31. Arkansas assistants Tom Ostrom and Rob Evans have been seen around town looking at prospects. Coach John Pelphrey reportedly started out in Orlando, Fla., at the 15-and-under national AAU tournament, but he also is expected to be in Las Vegas watching recruits. One of Arkansas’ top targets for the 2009 recruiting class is Shawn Williams of DeSoto, Texas, who is considered one of the better swingmen in the country.
1 Williams, 6-6 / 2, 190, is playing for Texas Select in the Adidas tournament. The Select were 0-2 going into Wednesday’s action. They were defeated 70-56 by the Raising Champions team out of Brooklyn, N. Y., that featured highly touted guard Lance Stephenson. Williams finished with nine points in that game, but he scored 27 in an 81-73 loss to the Michigan Mustangs.
Evans was in attendance for the game against the Mustangs, along with Texas Coach Rick Barnes. Baylor Coach Scott Drew and an assistant were also sitting near the court.
Williams said all the added eyes are a mixed blessing.
“It’s good, but sometimes it’s overwhelming,” he said. “It’s good to know that people want you to go to their school.” Williams, who grew up in Pine Bluff, has more than 10 scholarship offers but has narrowed his list to Arkansas, Texas, Baylor and UCLA. An announcement on his decision is expected soon after another tournament next week in Phoenix.
“Right now everyone is real close,” Williams said. “I’m going to sit down with my parents and talk about it after we get back from Phoenix.
“ It’s going to be hard because I’ve built a good relationship with all of the coaches. All the schools are good, and really you could flip a coin and come out good.” CBS College Sports national recruiting analyst Van Coleman said Williams doesn’t possess great physical tools but makes up for it in other ways.
“One of the smoothest and toughest and smartest players in the class of 2009,” Coleman said. “He’s a guy that finds a way to score, not the greatest athlete, but he’s very efficient and gets it done.” Williams’ grandparents, Leroy and Katherine Williams, live in Little Rock and are big Razorback fans.
“They yell, ‘Go Hogs’ and ‘Pig sooie’ every time I talk to them,” Williams said.
Williams said he plans to attend Arkansas’ Elite camp next weekend. UA EYES DETROIT FORWARD Another prospect the Hogs are looking at but have yet to offer is forward James Still, 6-9, 205, of Detroit (Mich. ) Community.
Still said he has offers from more than 10 schools, including Baylor, Michigan, Michigan State, Memphis, Purdue and Nebraska.
Still, who plays for the Michigan Hurricanes, scored 25 points Tuesday in a 63-49 victory over the Southwest Titans of Albuquerque, N. M. He uses either hand equally well when attacking the basket, is excellent at facing up to the basket and shoots the ball well from 15-18 feet. He also works hard on both ends of the court and gets up the floor with ease.
“I’m looking for a nice place to play at and good coaches,” Still said. “I’m also looking for a place where I get along with the players and a nice facility to play in.” Van Coleman saw improvement in Still during the spring and said he looks forward to seeing him in Las Vegas.
“I have not seen him here in Vegas, but he impressed me with his improved scoring ability this spring,” Coleman said. “He’s a kid that’s definitely on the rise.” Arkansas assistant Tom Ostrom is recruiting Still, who said playing in an up-tempo offense was important to him. “We have a nice relationship,” Still said. “He’s real cool.” Still realizes he needs to improve his strength and pack on more weight to his 205-pound frame. “He can go out and hit the jump shot and he can get into the low post and do something,” Michigan Hurricane Coach Rob Murray said. “Once he gets stronger, that will allow him to be that much better. The best thing about him is that he loves the game and he’s willing to learn and listen, and he has a good work ethic.” Murray’s first cousin is Oklahoma assistant Oronde Taliaferro.
E-mail Richard Davenport at: rdavenport@arkansasonline. com Read Richard Davenport’s RECRUITING BLOG arkansasonline. com / recruiting
FEEDBACK:
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
