2018 Recruiting: All You Need To Know

[ShockAzs]

This is what I need to know. We are aware we are and will be ranked in the top 10 or close for next Season preseason. We watched our Shocks at the last Dance along teams that played in the Final 4. We understand we have all of our top 10-11 rotation players returning plus 2 new fresh recruits signed and incoming. We have the Coaching Staff that can not only move the X's and O's but also really scout and prepare for our foes to come.

With all of that said, are we really geared up and fielding a squad that is going to be good enough for the Final 4? Is there a missing link, one more needed recruit for still sign soon that is a missing link to assure us we are Final 4 good on both sides of the floor? If we were to just sign one more player to help assure this narrative, what position would we possibly still address or is our status quo all we need? Just looking for opinions what ya'll think with the April signing period before us.

Guard play is solid. I'd say the most needed asset is a true lunker, double double guy, every game. And I would settle for a shot blocker / rebounder.

[shocks02]

Some recruiting news from the week.
Commits:
Landon Badgley (Air Force)

Visits:
Butler visited both Jordan Lathon and Jamal Bieniemy. They appear to be going heavily after Lathon.
Louisville visited Lahat Thioune.
Virginia visited Gerald Liddell.

Added offers:
Emmitt Matthews (Washington)
Gerald Liddell (TCU, Oklahoma St)

New highlights:
Caleb McConnell ( http://endlessmotor.net/2017/04/06/c...al-highlights/ )
Ed Chang ( http://www.scout.com/college/basketb...ed-chang?s=204 )

PrepHoops Interviews:
Erik Stevenson: Currently, Stevenson has five scholarship offers to play at Division one programs. Old Dominion, Cal Poly, Wichita State, Hawaii and Washington State have all offered him. Stevenson hopes to get more offers as his senior season approaches. “I am pushing to play high major D1 ball,” Stevenson said. “I currently have interest from many other D1 schools as well.”

Ben Pyle (McPherson, KS): One of the premier players this weekend in Oklahoma City, Pyle is a terrific all-around performer who is coming off an all-state type season. He combines size and skill and has the ability to do multiple things at a high level.
He currently has offers from Davidson, Northern Iowa, Weber State and Colgate and has drawn interest from several other programs as well.

Israel Barnes: He’s a tough-as-nails competitor who brings size and athleticism to the wing. Barnes can attack off the bounce, shoot from the outside, and is a versatile and strong defender. He currently holds an offer from Tulsa but don’t be surprised if his stock takes off in the next few months. Although he has been a part of the MoKan program since his eighth-grade year, Barnes had never played with his age group until last year when he competed for the 16U. He has impressed throughout the preseason, which has included 13 practices.

[shoxlax]

Great stuff @shocks02:! Thanks.

What's the latest on the Vanover kid from Arkansas?

[forevershockerfan]

Late Signing Period begins this week on April 12th. It will be interesting with us full on ships to see what happens to start setting the stage for 2018-2019 as we lose 7 players to graduation. The Foundation is in place with corner stones rotation players. However, we can be picky and have more National TV coverage coming not to mention much better competition on our Schedule forthcoming. Last but not least, we will have playing time open for the best of the best recruits to earn and that always helps to the max. Could this be the year we have our best recruiting class signed for a very long time? That would take a lot but stay tuned!!!!!!!

[shoxlax]

I will add three more you may not find on any lists:

Clay Gayman 2018 Nevada, Mo Wg
Kaden Archie 2018 Midlothian Tx Wg
Callum McRae 2018 New Zealand C

Vanover has apparently fallen off the radar as little mutual interest

[shocks02]

Yor Anei: 2018 PF/C Yor Anei will be a big time defensive playmaker. Blocks and rebounds well. High major interest and offers. https://twitter.com/TylerSimpsonRDH/...99146516828160

Flo Thamba: 6'10 2018 Flo Thamba of Team United may be one of the longest & most fluid athletes I've seen. Just so naturally gifted. https://twitter.com/JamieShaw5/statu...92484691161088

Christian Bishop: Tulsa offer, with Nebraska, Mizzou, Creighton interest. https://twitter.com/TylerSimpsonRDH/...85260652679169

Clay Gayman: Had a big tournament and raised his profile even more in OKC. Gayman had 19 points in the championship game and led the Pacer squad through a tough field all the way to the finals, including 20 points in an impressive win over a talented Colorado Hawks squad. He is a skilled forward capable of posting up, shooting the 3 and attacking the bucket. But it is a non-stop motor that impresses. He is always grinding, always competing and never gives up on a play. https://www.prephoops.com/2017/04/pr...ment-team-17u/

Joel Ntambwe: Ntambwe was one of the most intriguing players to watch today at The Warmup. He stands 6’8” and is very comfortable on the perimeter. He handled the ball well in the open floor and made many flashy passes. If he plays the way he did today Team Penny will have a great shot at winning the championship tomorrow. http://www.madehoops.com/news_articl...rer_id=1272156

Israel Barnes: 2018 G Israel Barnes had a productive first game. Hearing from ACC, SEC, Big 12 schools. https://twitter.com/TylerSimpsonRDH/...69818475278337

[Steeleshocker]

3G made mention in Jon Rothstein's podcast today that he is now receiving calls from coaches talking about sending players to Wichita State as a result of the conference change. Could be interesting to see what the 2018 class has in store for us.

[1972Shocker]

3G made mention in Jon Rothstein's podcast today that he is now receiving calls from coaches talking about sending players to Wichita State as a result of the conference change. Could be interesting to see what the 2018 class has in store for us.

http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/college-hoops-today-with-jon-rothstein/e/49710583?autoplay=true

[1972Shocker]

3G made mention in Jon Rothstein's podcast today that he is now receiving calls from coaches talking about sending players to Wichita State as a result of the conference change. Could be interesting to see what the 2018 class has in store for us.

Has to open new doors to all of our programs I would think?

[shocks02]

I added Tyrese Samuel off of information from Twitter. He's a 6'8 forward from Montreal with offers from Virginia Tech, Rhode Island and Canisius.

Jordan Lathon: Feature Story - Likes Butler. KU, Mizzou, Duke are his dream schools. http://www.rundownhoops.com/features...idas-team-rush
Ed Chang: 10 Who Impressed https://www.prephoops.com/2017/04/tj...saturday-part/
Caleb McConnell: Clemson, Purdue, Xavier, Ohio St are the most recent to show interest. https://twitter.com/SWDOHoops/status/851632878488354816
Joel Ntambwe: Feature Story - Providence, Va Tech, Tennessee showing the most interest. http://www.madehoops.com/news_articl...rer_id=1272156

[shocks02]

Nike EYBL is starting up next weekend. They recently released a magainze that previews every team on the circuit along with features on several of the players. https://issuu.com/peachjam2016/docs/...eview_magazine

The magazine mainly focuses on the 17U class but has a little bit on 16U. 16U commit DeAntoni Gordon will be playing in the EYBL this spring/summer so we'll get an idea on how he competes at the highest AAU level here real quick. Here is a list of Shocker recruits that will be playing in the EYBL:

Jamal Bieniemy (Houston Hoops)
Vincent Williams (All-Ohio Red)
Valdir Manuel (Playaz Club)
Gerald Liddell (RM5 Elite)
Bol Bol (Cal Supreme)
Kamaka Hepa (Portland Basketball Club)
Khaleem Bennett (UPlay Canada)
Isaiah Bujdoso (UPlay Canada)
Tyrese Samuel (UPlay Canada)
Joel Ntambwe (Team Penny)
Flo Thamba (Team United)
Qon Murphy (Team United)
Israel Barnes (Mo-Kan Elite)
Roman Wilson (Mo-Kan Elite)
Mohammed Abdulsalam (Georgia Stars)

[calfan]

Thanks for the info shocks02. I live in the Los Angeles area and if I can figure out where they are going to play
I'll try and give a scouting report.

[Downtown Shocker Brown]

Thanks for the info shocks02. I live in the Los Angeles area and if I can figure out where they are going to play
I'll try and give a scouting report.

I would definitely love to hear about All-Ohio Red if you can make it.

[shocks02]

Added Isaac Likekele and Alexander Suckhanov to the list.

Visits:
Clemson visited Jose Placer

Added offers:
Gerald Liddell (Cal)

New highlights:
Israel Barnes - http://www.scout.com/college/basketb...-israel-barnes

Yor Anei: Anei is a long, athletic player with tremendous size and athleticism. He has improved his all-around play and looks to score more in the post. A good spring and summer could boost his stock significantly. https://www.prephoops.com/2017/04/gr...iew-team-rush/

[shocks02]

New Rivals 2018 Top 150 is out today. https://n.rivals.com/prospect_rankings/rivals150/2018
Here are the changes:
Bol Bol (#14 Before, #7 Now)
Gerald Liddell (#15 Before, #22 Now)
Carte'are Gordon (#18 Before, #24 Now)
Kamaka Hepa (#32 Before, #36 Now)
Keenan FItzmorris (#112 Before, #109 Now)
Jamal Bieniemy (#132 Before, #123 Now)
Valdir Manuel (#125 Before, #128 Now)
Jordan Lathon (#148 Before, #138 Now)
Trey'von Hopkins (#135 Before, #143 Now)

Visits:
Sasha Suhkanov (WSU)
Diante Wood (WSU, Alabama, Purdue, Georgia)
Daylen Kountz (WSU)
Jamal Bieniemy (Michigan, Purdue)
Jordan Lathon (Iowa St, Mizzou)
Trey'Von Hopkins (Baylor)

Added Offers:
Jamal Bieniemy (OU)