Jordan Shanklin spent the majority of his summer rehabbing a chin fracture and watching from the sidelines. After being cleared by doctors in early July, Shanklin burst back onto the scene at the Hoop Fest followed by some stellar play in Vegas at the Adidas Super 64. Shanklin is a team first point guard that uses his speed and quickness to push the pace and to get his teammates involved. He is among the top 10 players in the state of Kentucky regardless of class.
Recently Full Court Preps writer David Money was able to catch up with Shanklin, touching on a number of topics.
Since the interviews Clemson, Butler, and VCU have become heavily involved in Shanklin's recruitment. Shanklin does have an offer from Western Kentucky as well. Below are some highlights of the superb guard in action.
George Fant is one of the most promising prospects in the state of Kentucky regardless of class. He is very bouncy and has a great motor. His long arms coupled with his athletic abilities lead easy baskets in transition and one on one situations. Overall Fant's game remains a bit on the raw side. If he continues to operate within his limits and improve, then he could develop into a top 100 player in the 2011 class.
Recently Full Court Preps writer David Money was able to catch up with the talented junior to be.
Patrick Lucas-Perry is a kid that has basketball embedded in his DNA. He is a team first point guard that is adept at penetrating and making the crucial decision on whether to pass or shoot as defenses close in. This kid's skills are best defined by two words, floor general. Perry plays for 16u Team Legion out of Michigan. The team is coached by his father Lavel, and current ESPN basketball analyst (former Michigan power forward) Tim McCormick. Patrick is the younger brother of current Wolverine guard Lavel Lucas-Perry. It should come as no surprise that Michigan and Michigan State have already offered scholarships and are pushing hard for his services. On this afternoon Tom Izzo, Xavier head coach Chris Mack, and an assistant from Cincinnati were on hand to watch him play.
Full Court Preps writer David Money was able to catch up with the talented point guard.
Lucas-Perry is a well rounded and polite young man and is going to be a real treat for any coach to host on his team's roster.
Austin Etherington has spent the majority of his high school career sidelined with injuries. Etherington has finally put some distance between himself and his last injury and it has translated into more confident play. As a sophomore, after missing the first 15 games, Etherington burst back averaging 16 points and 7 rebounds per contest. By all accounts the dead eye shooter is among the top guards in the 2011 class and he holds no less than five high major offers.
Recently Full Court Preps Writer David Money was able to catch up with Etherington.
F.C.P. - Could you sum up your game for folks who have not had a chance to see you play?
Etherington- I am a two guard or a three that can shoot the ball and penetrate to the basket.
F.C.P.- What have you been working on this summer?
Etherington- Getting low on my drive. Working on my shot and trying to get more shots up. I am learning to shoot over taller defenders and stuff like that.
F.C.P.- How are you recovering from the injury's?
Etherington- I am 100 percent, I am all good.
F.C.P.- Can you talk about how you guys did at Hamilton last season?
Etherigton- I missed the first 15 games. When I started playing we were about .500 and we ended up plus three. I think we only lost four games when I was playing. I did alright, I averaged about 16 points per game.
F.C.P.- What schools are showing interest in you?
Etherington- I have five offers. I have Xavier, Indiana, Butler, Oklahoma State, and New Mexico. Ohio State is right there, I'm hoping to get that offer.
F.C.P.- Do you have a leader at this point?
Etherington- Not really. It's all open. It's all up in the air.
F.C.P.- Do you plan on taking any visits?
Etherington- Yeah I'm hoping that in the fall I can get out to Oklahoma St. and see what it's like. I'll probably go back to Indiana and Xavier.
A brief caveat, The 2009 Take 5 classic drew talent from all over the country to Cincinnati's campus. The tournament directors Criss Beyers and Mike Duncan did a marvelous job and should be commended for their hard work and dedication to the sport. Thanks guys!
One of the most popular prospects of the first day was former Louisville commit Justin Martin (pictured with his coach). Martin recently withdrew his verbal commitment to play for the university of Louisville and despite recent rumors the Cardinals are still in the running for his services. A slew of division one coaches were on hand for his games including: Rick Pitino, John Calipari, Sean Miller, Bob Huggins, Josh Pastner and a who's who list of other top coaches. Martin played a couple of very impressive games and showed flashes of being a very versatile and explosive player. He didn't stuff the stat sheet with points, but his strong overall play certainly stood out.
Full Court Preps writer David Money was able to catch up with the talented youngster for a little Q & A:
F.C.P.- Could you talk a little about how the game against the Shining Stars went?
Martin- The first half we was a little rusty. The second half we came out ready to play.
F.C.P.- Could you tell us where everything stands in the recruiting process?
Martin- Right now I'm wide open. I'm not looking to make a decision until after I take my official visits.
F.C.P.- What schools are you hearing from?
Martin- Right now I'm hearing from Arizona, Oklahoma, Memphis, Kentucky, Miami, Florida, Xavier and Marquette.
F.C.P.- With you recently de-committing from Louisville are they not in the picture anymore at all?
Martin- No their still in the picture, I still hear from them and we still talk.
F.C.P.- What about the local schools Indiana, Notre Dame and Purdue?
Martin- I haven't heard from any of them except for Notre Dame.
F.C.P.- Any time table for a decision?
Martin- After I take my officials.
F.C.P.- Do you plan on taking any visits or going to any camps soon?
Martin- Since I reopened my recruitment I have yet to take any visits. I have been focusing on summer school and things like that so I haven't really had time.
F.C.P.- You mentioned Kentucky and coach Gillispie's staff was recruiting you in the past, have they re-initiated things now that coach Calipari is there?
Martin- Yeah, they came to our open gym at Lawrence North. They were actually there to see Dominique. After I de-committed they called me and re-established things. Calipari recruited me while he was at Memphis before I committed to Louisville so we know a little bit about each other. Right now I'm just looking to build a relationship with coaches.
F.C.P.- With you and Dominique both un-committed have you two discussed the possibility of playing together?
Martin- Dominique is like my brother but, we really don't want to play for the same school. I mean if it happens, it happens. We have been playing together since the eight grade.
F.C.P.- Is there any certain style of play that would suit you best?
Martin- Run and gun, that's the style that I like best.
Scott County's Ge-Lawn Guyn is among the top handful of players in the state of Kentucky regardless of class and he recently Committed to UNC Charlotte. Coach Lutz's 49ers have picked up a combo guard with few very impressive ability's:
-He can take just about anyone off the dribble
-You can't give him too much room or he will knock down the three.
-He has a great feel for where his teammates are at all times.
"I play the one and two, I can shoot, I can pass, I can do it all. I try to get everyone involved." said Guyn
"I'm looking for a school that plays uptempo, because that's the way that I like to play. The academics, stuff like that, but I'm just being humble and taking everything as it comes."
Guyn is a very confident and talented young man. Look for him to be among our top 100 players in the class of 2010, when we expand our list later this summer.
Donnie Hale is the top prospect in southern Indiana in the 2010 class. Hale has listed both Purdue and Xavier for awhile now and his decision is expected to come sometime in the near future. We have a source close to this kids situation and although no decision has been made by Hale; he is believed to be Xavier's to lose at this point. Hale would certainly bolster coach Mack's first full recruiting haul. Oklahoma State still has an outside of landing Hale as well.
Donnie Hale is a 6'8 combo forward out of New Albany high in Indiana. Hale's ever growing skill set and expanded game helped him to average 18 points per game last season. Hale recently switched AAU teams and told us that he is very excited about playing facing the basket more. As opposed to always squatting in the post.
It is evident that Hale has been working hard both in the gym and the weight room. This kid has really improved since we last watched him play about a year ago. Hale has added range to his jump shot and he looks more nimble and quick while on the court. I was also intrigued by Hale's new found ability to put the ball on the floor, if he can continue to expand this part of his game then he will truly be a threat at all times at the high major D1 level. I was very impressed by the noticeable leaps that this kids game has taken across the board. Hale, in our opinion has progressed to the point where he is among the top 75 players, in the entire class of 2010.
Hale is basically down to his final two college choices in Xavier and Purdue. Now, with Purdue there are some questions as to how many scholarships will be available in the 2010 class. Coach Painter has done a great job of landing in state talent at Purdue, however all indicators at this point suggest that Hale's most likely destination will be Xavier. With Xavier, first year head coach Chris Mack, (who returned to Xavier in 2004 after serving as two-time team captain) laid the groundwork with Hale and has to be excited about the potential of adding the underrated Hale to his teams roster. At this point all indicators point to Xavier is his leader.
Ge-Lawn Guyn is a really impressive player with a multi-dimensional skill set. Guyn has the talent to create havoc at either guard position. This kid can penetrate and finish with the best players in the class. Guyn's quickness often forces opposing teams to double team or trap him, however he has the ability and vision to pass out of the chaos, for easy buckets. Guyn's athleticism and work ethic could help him develop into a lock down defender as well.
Overall, this kid stands out. He plays for a loaded Scott County team that features no less than five future division one players. This kid has an extremely high ceiling and should have no problem attending any number of high major programs.
We also have some nice highlights of Mr. Guyn in action and we should have those ready soon.
Tonight is the Indiana Senior/Junior scrimage at New Albany high. Please check back for the full story.
Class of 2010 center Jordan Latham has withdrew his verbal commitment to play for Xavier and is opening things back up. Lathem will take his time in making a decision this time and don't be surprised to see a few new schools pop up on his list as he wants to open things up. Maryland and Oregon State are now back firmly in the mix for the talented big.
Class of 2010 point guard Eric Atkins (pictured) has been playing well of late. Leading his team to the 2009 Take Your Best Shot 17&U Championship. Atkins posted 20 points in the win and looks much improved by all accounts. Atkins holds no fewer than 5 scholarship offers from Massachusetts, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Virginia, George Mason.
Lamont "momo" Jones said that he enjoyed his official visit to USC. Jones is a talented 2009 guard who has committed and de-committed twice (Louisville, Virginia Tech) Oak Hill coach Steve Smith said that Arizona was the only other realistic destination for Jones.
The saga is over for the Wildcats as Sean Miller will be the new man at the helm. After a night to think about it Miller has accepted and signed a 7 year deal, worth a reported 18 million dollars.
