#OTRHoopsReport: Recruiting Rundown – May 12, 2016
Class of 2016 post Chase Anderson of St. Francis HS played his position this year and grabbed a couple of offers this week. Photo cred – Ty Freeman/Jared Cook Classic
The month of May means offers and late signings. The spring evaluation periods have come and gone for NCAA Division 1 coaches, which means we get a glimpse of which prospects are gaining the most attention. Also, it signals the final opportunity for the unsigned seniors to find a landing spot next fall. Here are a couple of the more notable story lines within our circle.
Spring Recruiting Rundown
By: @JLHemingwayPSB
New Memphis head coach Tubby Smith wasted no time in pursuing one of the hottest prospects on the West Coast in Charles O’Bannon of the Las Vegas Prospects. We mentioned O’Bannon last April as a wing who is poised to ascend to the top of the class 2017. Smith certainly see the value in the 6’5 shooting guard. Read our 2017 Watch-list article here.
One of the best available 2016 post players in the city of Atlanta is Chance Anderson from St. Francis. He recently picked up offers from High Point (NC) and San Francisco (CA). We were impressed with Anderson’s ability to rebound and finish around the rim while playing alongside of Arizona bound Kobi Simmons this season. See a clip from Anderson at the Hoop Hall Classic below.
Chance Anderson @Im_justchance HUGE in win today at #HHclassic. 24pts & 13reb including this dunk via @JordanKobi pic.twitter.com/q1GNnGY4W4
— Jonathan Hemingway (@CoachHemi) January 16, 2016
Zion Williamson of Game Elite has the whole eastern seaboard talking after his impressive spring. Shun Williams, publisher of OntheRadarHoops.com, had this to say about Williamson following the Indi-Hoops Classic:
The South Carolina native, who is ranked No. 17 nationally by ESPN Recruiting Nation, was one of the most impressive players in the gym. This 6-foot-6 small forward provides versatility and is a go-to scoring on the offensive end. He got to the rim consistently north to south and carried his defender on his back in the half court. He finished explosively at the rim showing a deadly combination of strength and athleticism.
The 2018 prospect, Williamson, picked up an offer from Maryland earlier this month. Do not expect this to be the last offer to come Williamson’s way this spring.
Arizona added to its’ already loaded class this week by picking up a transfer from UNC-Asheville in Dylan Smith. We tabbed the 6-5 guard as one of the region’s top unsigned seniors following the Steel City Invitational in 2014. Here is our evaluation from that event:
12/22/14 Steel City Invitational (Birmingham, Ala.) – Jonathan Hemingway
Smith is a lanky wing who can create his own shot on the perimeter. He has an array of cross over and hesitation moves that allow him to get his shot off with or without a ball screen. He struggled with his shot today as he was battling a wrist injury. However, his play creation and free throws were instrumental in Hoover coming back and winning this game versus Ramsay. He finished with 14 points while shooting 8-10 from the FT line.
Dylan Smith was noted as a player to watch back in 2014 by @JLHemingwayPSB
STORY: https://t.co/wmJYJ62qdM pic.twitter.com/akaGWVfRPr
— Shun Williams (@OntheRadarHoops) May 12, 2016
VIDEO: Bol Bol Dominates at the Memphis In May Invitational https://t.co/UVzKh0rJnb pic.twitter.com/6Mfeguahyz
— CourtCred (@courtcred) May 9, 2016
Expect to hear much more about class of 2018 wing-forward Bol Bol in upcoming months. The son of legendary NBA center Manute Bol, Bol Bol brings a different style than his father. At 6-11 he runs the floor very well and has exceptional skill for his size. Per Jerry Meyer of 247 Sports, Bol has picked up an offer from Kansas already while playing with KC Run GMC. See highlights of his game courtesy of Courtside Films below:
More News…
Miles Herron of Team Derrick Favors picked up interest from ETSU, Houston and VCU.
Sacred Heart (AL) 2017 guard D.J. Heath picked up an offer from Jacksonville State.
Class of 2016 Jordan Shepherd of Asheville Christian (NC) signed with Oklahoma.
Georgia State offered class of 2017 post Ahsan Asadullah of Atlanta Xpress.
Maryland offered Team Loaded (NC) forward Jarius Hamilton.
Jonathan Hemingway is a National Evaluator for the OTRHoopsReport. Hemingway serves on the Board of Selectors for the Naismith Trophy. He is also the publisher of CoachHemi.com. He has been involved in the community since 1996 as a coach, camp director and evaluator. You can reach him via email at JonathanHemingway@PeachStateBasketball.com and follow him on twitter @JLHemingwayPSB
