The 2011 Seton Hall recruiting class is a very unknown class. There are a lot of players in it that have the potential to be very good but they could also turn out very bad. They are all good character guys that work hard. Here are the current commits.
Commits that have signed letter of intent:
1. Aaron Cosby, PG/SG, Northfield-Mt. Hermon School: Cosby is rated as an 88 out of 100 on the ESPN rankings. Here is an ESPN analysis of his skill set.
Strengths:
Cosby is a scoring lead guard who takes and makes big shots. He has really improved the consistency of his three-point shooting within the last 15 months and is capable of getting his shot off with very little separation and connecting from deep ranges. He can also be dangerous with his dribble, both using a ball-screen, and in isolation situations and has more strength and explosiveness this year than he has in years past.
Weaknesses:
Cosby is much more of a scorer than a distributor and doesn't necessarily make those around him better. He is a good, not great, shooter who has a tendency to settle for too many jumpers as opposed to attacking the rim or distributing the ball. He also needs to become a more consistent finisher around the rim by showing more of a willingness to go into contact. Defensively, he has the physical tools to be effective but needs to make more of a commitment on that end of the floor.
Bottom Line:
Cosby is a scoring guard who makes shots in bunches and has shown an ability to make tough shots during the course of his high school career but needs to develop into more of a pure point guard and prove that he is more than a volume shooter.
2. Freddie Wilson, PG, James E. Hillhouse: Wilson is a pure PG prospect that loves to pass first. He also has a very good 3pt shot. He is an 86 out of 100 on ESPN rankings. Here is ESPN's analysis about his skills.
Strengths:
A creative playmaker with the ball in his hands, Wilson excels at making plays for both himself and others. He is an equally effective creator playing north to south or east to west who sees the floor both in transition as well as the quarter court. He is particularly effective coming off ball screens where he is a threat to both turn the corner as well as reject the screen and can make a pull-up three if his defender goes under.
Weaknesses:
Wilson has a tendency to pound the ball and be too flashy for his own good. His decision making has improved but is still a cause for concern and while he isn't a pure point guard he definitely needs the ball in his hands to be effective. He needs to prove he can shoot the ball consistently off the catch from behind the three-point line, improve his defensive discipline and effort, and get stronger physically.
Bottom Line:
Wilson is an undeniable offensive talent who plays his team in and out of games. He has an excellent ability to make plays off the dribble but will have to learn to get his offense within the flow of the team's system and give a more diligent defensive effort.
3. Sean Grennan, PG/SG, Monsignor Donovan: Grennan has as pure of stroke as a player can have. He is also a very smart player. He is an 80 out of 100 on ESPN's rankings and here is what they say about him:
Strengths:
Grennan is a big time shot maker who plays the game with great confidence and flair. He has exceptionally deep range on his jumper, a super quick trigger, and is virtually un-guardable once he gets hot. He has a European type feel for the game, varying his speeds off the dribble, moving well without the ball, and being very crafty offensively. Physically, he has worked hard to add muscle to his frame and plays strong with the ball around the perimeter, snapping his passes and pounding his dribble.
Weaknesses:
Grennan isn't quite a pure point guard and still tends to think shoot first pass second. While his body has improved quite a bit within the last year he still needs to continue to get bigger and stronger in order to withstand the physical toll of playing at the next level. Grennan also needs to become a more consistent finisher at the rim as he tends to shy away from contact and consequently convert a low percentage. He also needs to play with more of a sense of urgency on the defensive end of the floor.
Bottom Line:
Grennan is a big time shot maker who likely would have earned plenty of high-major opportunities had he not committed early to Davidson. He projects as an ideal fit in Davidson's offensive system and has the potential to make an immediate contribution there.
4. Haralds Karlis, SG/SF, Canary Basketball Academy: Karlis is not well known at all and ESPN does not have an evaluation on him. He comes from the same school as Patrik Auda and Aaron Geramipoor so he will definitely be a smart player that can defend. From what I have heard, he has a good jumper and is a great defender.
Committed but not yet signed:
1. Isaiah Hill, C, God's Academy: Hill is by far our best recruit. He averages nearly a triple double in HS, at 15ppg, 12rpg, and 8bpg. He is a 91 out of 100 in the ESPN rankings and here is what they say about him:
Strengths:
Hill is a true center that has a big body, good hands and footwork. He has improved rapidly since his arrival in Texas from Indiana. He runs the floor well for a player his size and is more agile and athletic than he looks. Scores on drop off passes created by dribble penetration, power drops through contact and with his jump hook over his left shoulder. He can also face and hit the 10-12 footer with needed time and space. Hill is an excellent passer to cutting teammates and can hit an open shooter on the weak side. He rebounds on both end in his area and blocks shots at an high rate. Hill has great upside and reminds his coach of a young Andrew Bynum.
Weaknesses:
Hill is a good not great back to the basket scoring threat and must work to develop counter moves and his ability to use his left hand. He has a big body that needs to be tightened up by adding muscle and get his playing weight down to about 255-260 pounds. Body improvement and maintenance will be key to long term success.
Bottom Line:
Hill is a true center that has improved very quickly. He is limited with his back to the basket moves but can score enough to maintain the defenses full attention although he will need to add to he post move package and develops his left hand. Hill is a good passer, area rebounder and shot blocker. He must work to add muscle and take care of his body but his upside is tremendous.
Seton Hall has 2 spots left on the roster for next year. It is reported that one will be a transfer and the other could be either Junior Fortunat or Brandon Mobley. Both of those players are big men and Willard has said the transfer will be a big man as well. We will know about who these two players will be by mid April. I will update as we get news about them.
Now, moving on to some of the big time targets Seton Hall is looking at for the next couple years.
2012:
Kyle Anderson, PF/SF/SG/PG, St. Anthony's: Anderson is #25 in ESPN's super 60 sophomores and I have gotten to see him play multiple times. Willard has had Anderson to at least 6 games this year and is heavily recruiting him. Here is what ESPN says about him:
Strengths:
Anderson is a very unique talent. Anderson is a skilled small forward that can play all three perimeter positions. He is a great passer with excellent court vision and is a good decision maker and is probably best playing a 'point forward' position where he is a match up problem. He is a solid shooter with range to 17 feet. He is not the quickest or most athletic player but knows how to change speeds and play angles in order to be effective. He is a solid rebounder where his size is an asset. Anderson does a great job of finishing deep in the lane with his length. Kyle has added a post up game. He can post smaller defenders and shoot over them or score with power through contact.
Weaknesses:
Anderson sometimes struggles in space with speed and quickness especially when he is forced to be the primary ball handler and he needs to play with more energy and urgency especially on the defensive end when guarding the ball or when forced to be physical in the low post. Anderson must add strength and increase his range to where he can be a more consistent three point shooter.
Bottom Line:
Anderson is a very skilled perimeter player with great size. He is a match up problem on both ends because he can score inside and out in addition to being an excellent passer and ball handler. Anderson must play harder on both ends especially defensively. He is very talented, versatile and has great upside.
Kareem Canty, PG, Bridgton Academy: Canty is the number 13 PG in the 2012 class. He is an incredibly tough player and has narrowed his list to Rutgers, Seton Hall, Oklahoma, and Alabama. Here is what ESPN says about him:
Strengths:
He's a competitor who wants to be a good player. The New York native strikes a balance between passing and scoring. As a playmaker, he excels off the drive and finds teammates out to the line. When he flips it into scoring mode, he's more than capable of taking his medicine and accepting contact. His shot isn't textbook, though he's a volume shot-maker, especially off the dribble.
Weaknesses:
He needs to avoid getting frustrated and knocked off task as sometimes his competitiveness works against him. His shot selection can be flighty at times while he can also be careless with the basketball. He is terribly un-vocal for a point guard and can turn off teammates when his on-court temperament leads to poor decisions.
Bottom Line:
The kid loves to win and he's the kind of guy you trust to make a play in end of game and shot clock situations. More often than not, he's going to deliver and he'll be a mainstay for a good program. His toughness will open doors for him from a recruiting perspective.
2013:
1. Austin Colbert, PF, St. Patrick's: Colbert is a 96 out of 100 in the ESPN rankings and is the #14 player overall in the class of 2013. Willard has been heavily involved in St. Pat's 2013 and 2014 class as you will see with the next player as well. Here is what ESPN says about him:
Strengths:
Colbert is a long and athletic post with a nice skill set for a young big man. He is a high level athlete who runs, jumps, and plays above the rim on both ends. He knows how to post, catches in traffic, and scores inside the paint utilizing a high release. He is most comfortable facing up with a smooth stroke and good 1-2 dribble game from the high post or the short corner and can even extend his shooting range out to 20 feet. Defensively, he is a big time shot blocker with timing and also projects as someone who could eventually defend multiple positions thanks to his length, agility, and lateral quickness at his size.
Weaknesses:
Colbert has a long and lanky build that is in desperate need of muscle and while he has a pretty good motor he also needs to become a more assertive player on both ends and impose his will on the game more consistently. Colbert should also be a better rebounder given his physical tools and would do well to develop a go-to move with his back to the basket.
Bottom Line:
Colbert has a tremendous combination of size, length, agility, athleticism, and skill. He has the potential to develop into an extremely versatile big game who can change the game both inside and out on either end of the court.
2014:
1. Dakari Johnson, C, St. Patrick's: Johnson is an absolute best. I have gotten to watch him play multiple times against elite competition and as a freshman he has dominated some of the best Juniors and Seniors in the nation. Here is what ESPN says about him:
Strengths:
Dakari is a true force whenever he steps on the court. He plays up a grade in the 15 & Under division and he is still dominant. He has a strong body and good hands. His feet and footwork are good for a player so young. He is an excellent scorer inside and his teammates make a concerted effort to get him the ball in the paint. He scores mostly off short face up shots in the lane but will show an occassional post move scoring over his left shoulder. Johnson is an excellent rebounder with his big body and strong hands.
Weaknesses:
He is not an elite level athlete so he is not an avid shotblocker but he is effective using his body to clog the lane.
Bottom Line:
Johnson is an excellent prospect and has to be considered at or near the top of the 2014 class at this point.
These are not all the recruits Willard is involved in but they are the biggest names. Throughout the next week I will talk more about some potential recruits for next year.
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