MBB recruits 2017

[Polito]

I've seen very brief clips in compilation-type vids, but haven't found a full highlight reel yet - would normally irk me, but this young fella seems to be legit regardless.

Article:

http://www.phenomhoopreport.com/news_ar ... arshall-va

Tweets:

https://twitter.com/jwherron10/status/7 ... 3595517954
https://twitter.com/clintjackson1/statu ... 2181417985
https://twitter.com/clintjackson1/statu ... 5230033920


Seems like a battle between the 4 that's worth the effort to land him, should be interesting... let's go HU!! Fall Fest and Fetty Wap! Top-notch new practice facility! Excellent new Engineering school! And a SUPER staff and program on it's way to the big dance! Roll out the red carpet this weekend, and let's move the program dial forward!

[garyg]

Thanks for the info Polito...seems to me Jones has A LOT going for him and if he can refine some of his skills could be a very special player for us by junior year...

[Captain]

Was Jones an AAU teammate of Ray last summer on Team Loaded 757? I also like this Virginia pipeline that Coach Barrett is building.

[Cards]

Here is a video of a game in which Jones scored 35 pts with 14 rebs. He has a strange kinda push jump shot, but what da heck, Tanksley's shot was far from pretty. Anyway, he looks like a guy that plays with the will to win - I like it.

https://makeplayz.com/greg-jones-goes-o ... nedictine/

[bobe13]

Anyone hear anything on how the official visit(s) went today?

[ProudofPride]

Fetty Wop wore an HU MBB jersey for the concert last night. I wonder if that was a recruiting tactic for the visitor(s?) on campus. The entirety of both basketball teams got to meet in The Mack before the show, the men'a team presented the jersey to him.

https://twitter.com/HofstraMBB/status/7 ... 1044452352

Men's team with him and the jersey: https://scontent.fzty1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/ ... 9998_o.jpg
women's team: https://scontent.fzty1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/ ... 9637_o.jpg
full album including lot of him performing in the jersey: https://www.facebook.com/hofstraunivers ... 6236238280

[Polito]

Thought the same thing about the Team Loaded AAU connection, but there are actually 2 different ones in VA - Ray is on 757, and Jones is part of another - both are extremely strong. Jones is with guys like Mario Haskett, Kiyon Boyd, Aamir Simms, Antwan Walker, Rasir Bolton, etc... these guys are all top P5 players

Jones does seem to push his shot, but I feel like we've seen this in other guys too... more often recently for some reason - just a thing with players these days? I'm sure a purist or guru could help us understand

Either way, if you have the talent, know how to use it, and you can put the rock in the hoop from anywhere on the court, I'm down


That is flat out sick with Fetty Wap rocking the HU hoops jersey! Recruiting / marketing genius right there - hoping and expecting to hear some good scoop from this weekend in that dept...

[daHUPride]

Any word on GJ visit?
I think HU should have inside position - being that the other schools (other then JMU) have a few players at the position (SF) already on their roster and HU doesn't really have anyone in pipeline after this year - playing time is going to be available to a GJ type of player.

[Polito]

Nothing specific yet... have checked other relevant boards and nothing new there either

This staff is pretty stealthy with this stuff, so it may take some extra time/digging watching him and Dominick Welch as HU is in his top 4... they also seemed to be all over Lucas Williamson too - and then of course there's probably another one or 2 that we're not even discussing because, well, as mentioned they are sneaky good like that!! LOL

Have to believe it went awesome - hungry for some concrete info though!

[garyg]

He had over a week to think about things...come on GJ...pick the good guys already!

[Polito]

The silence is BRUTAL isn't it drives me nuts

Did come across another Jalen Ray blurb regarding his 1st Team All-State selection - will be watching his Sr yr closely, becoming more intriguing the more I read about him - looks like a potential steal - we'll see:

The junior guard delivered time and time again for the Crabbers with averages of 23 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.3 steals and 3.2 assists per game. His steady influence allowed Hampton to re-group from a 6-6 start and win 12 of their next 14 contests to earn a trip to the State Tournament.

Besides being tabbed First Team All-State by both the VHSL and VHSCA and All-Region First Team, Ray was named the PenSouth Conference Player of the Year. Even in his team's State Tournament quarterfinal loss to Albemarle, he did his part to keep Hampton in it with 31 points, six rebounds and three assists.

https://virginiapreps.rivals.com/news/v ... or-2015-16


And a similar piece on Greg Jones - really looks to be a Tanksley prototype player, which HU has proven to use extremely effectively - his double-double numbers certainly don't stink! Gusty's type production right there:

The 6-foot-6 forward/center earned First Team All-Region honors in 2015-16, helping lead the Justices to their second State Tournament Final Four in three years. Jones put up 15.3 points and 11.5 rebounds per game - registering 19 double-doubles on the year - plus shot 52% from the field and averaged 1.4 blocks a contest.

As a sophomore, Jones was named Player of the Game in the Justices' VirginiaPreps Classic victory over Landstown at Virginia Wesleyan College. In his junior year, he got the MVP trophy again, leading John Marshall to an overtime win over Blue Ridge in the event at J.R. Tucker High School.

https://virginiapreps.rivals.com/news/v ... or-2015-16

[Polito]

Staying patient... HU workin on some talent

[DCDUTCH]

http://pennstate.247sports.com/Bolt/Big ... g-48398468


Additionally, Penn State will welcome a trio of players from Virginia - 2017 wing Greg Jones, 2019 four-star forward Armando Bacot and promising 2020 forward Isaiah Todd - both Bacot and Todd have offers from the Nittany Lions.

The 6-foot-5 Jones plays for John Marshall High School, and currently has offers from East Carolina, Northeastern, Richmond and Towson, among others.

[Polito]

Thanks for this DCDUTCH - it's interesting, I don't believe he has a PSU offer yet, but maybe that is a result of this trip - we'll see

What I do know is that HU has recently offered another stud at that position, and when they do that, it kind of signals to me they may be looking in a different direction - but just pure speculation on my part

I am also watching Richmond, as they have just had a major de-commitment, Marquis Godwin, a talented wing who is teammates with HU commit Jalen Ray - seems like he may be looking to go P5 - UR offered Greg Jones as well awhile back, so wondering if they now may revisit him as an option...

Whatever happens I am still very much looking for HU to secure a 2nd commit in this early period, and it seems like the wing or SG position is a likely spot for that - then I would imagine landing a big / PF would be a focus in the spring period - again, just my thoughts, time will tell

[garyg]

Only Ray so far....anyone hear about anyone else?? Early signing period begins November 9th

[Polito]

No word yet from what I can gather... even ECU is wondering about Jones and what's up there, as they have the crystal ball for him on 247, and just like us expected him to commit after his HU visit - their board moderator said he'd try to find out, but still no info

No PSU offer came through, so I would imagine his final 4 are still the same, but guess we'll find out next week!

He would be a great get, as would Osbel from URCA - want that young man badly in an HU uni, on top of developing a pipeline there for the future

HU is working for another commit, that is for sure - they are like ducks on water lol - signing period should be interesting!

[garyg]

Maybe I missed some posts but tell me a little about Osbel Polito

[Cards]

Here is some video of Osbel. I think he would bring a lot to the table!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktP1Dpw3hS4

[ProudofPride]

Jones to JMU?

http://csnbbs.com/thread-763548-post-13 ... id13748513

[Polito]

Interesting... if not HU would rather he go outside the CAA lol - JMU poster is right, he's not a strong shooter, and at 6'5, will have to improve that in college - he's kind of a tweener with wing size but plays more like a PF - easy to do in HS, but he's not a college PF and will need shot consistency and range to step out on the wing in D1

But he's a guy that can develop into an impact player - not polished on O, but value with his high energy, strength, and potential.

As for Osbel, like him a lot, want him in an HU uni, he's a straight up SLEEPER. I think this young man is a future star in the right system (HU) with the right development, and he is completely under-the-radar right now. Matter of fact, so is the URCA program... but not for long, so I'm hopeful HU strikes first! HC Tom Femminella is a former HU guy, building this prep program virtually from scratch, and is very pro HU - has personally taken OC for a visit. That's a pipeline HU should be all over - they have real up and coming D1 talent, including HU target Lester Q, another potential top 10 for '18.

He's a 6'5 Venezuelan, which in itself is a rarity. IMO he is a cross between Agudio and EP in terms of both physical traits and skillset. Long, athletic, and bouncy, strong on both ends - and he's still getting better. Started at power Redemption Christian upstate, and was a top player as a Soph. Transferred to URCA for his Jr campaign and established himself as a top 10 player in the state (NYHoops). Relative unknown due to a light travel circuit, BUT gaining attention as he has played high-level competition and shown out every time. Top performer at DMVelite, the Alzheimer's Classic, as well as big games against programs like OSNA, St. Thomas More, St. Benedicts, NCA (MD), Tenn. Prep, Life Center, etc. He is the top returning scorer in LI at 22+ per. Can score in a variety of ways, excellent rebounder, solid defender 1-3 and in some matchups the 4 too - 75% FT shooter, can still work on that, and I would say he can improve his dribble - it's effective, but can be better. Under JM he has the potential to be a multi-yr all-conf guard.

Some links:

http://www.iluvbball.com/blog/who-is-os ... -hills-ny/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMDAEepALlP ... qqOMZLAc0/
http://scores.newsday.com/sports/highsc ... ?id=195205
http://www.longislandernews.com/sports- ... basketball