So do stars matter is basketball?

volball625 · 06-24-2008, 01:13 PM

Now I dislike the whole argument about whether stars are an accurate depiction on high school prospects. It takes over almost every thread on this board.

But i have never seen any serious discussion on recruiting rankings in basketball. IMO, they appear to be very accurate. Five of the top six in Rivals 2007 rankings are bound to be lottery picks this year. Does this mean it is significantly easier to evaluate basketball talent than football?

And when we signed Daniel West, he had zero stars. Yet, we didn't really have that much bashing of him. Many people tried to put a positive spin on his commitment. Do you think that just shows that we have more faith in Bruce's evaulations that Fulmer's?

crazyguy · 06-24-2008, 01:15 PM

It's harder to evaluate a guy on a football team that has so many variables. There are so many AAU leagues and the teams are so much smaller in basketball that I feel that it is much easier to evaluate the talent.

ukvols · 06-24-2008, 01:23 PM

West had other high profile programs, like UK, also looking at him.

TreeGreen · 06-24-2008, 01:27 PM

West was sort of a sleeper pick. He may not be the high scorer that some other guards are, but he looks like he is going to be a very solid contributor and player for our style of play.

volball625 · 06-24-2008, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreeGreen

West was sort of a sleeper pick. He may not be the high scorer that some other guards are, but he looks like he is going to be a very solid contributor and player for our style of play.

I have heard he has been unimpressive.

And I don't understand why he is a sleeper. Just because we signed him, and we want don't want to believe that he might not be a good player. And don't give me the argument that he had other high profile teams coming for him. He is a perfect example of high demand, low supply. Both us and UK both desperately needed a PG and there weren't many available.

dannyb826 · 06-24-2008, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volball625

I have heard he has been unimpressive.

And I don't understand why he is a sleeper. Just because we signed him, and we want don't want to believe that he might not be a good player. And don't give me the argument that he had other high profile teams coming for him. He is a perfect example of high demand, low supply. Both us and UK both desperately needed a PG and there weren't many available.

I don't think so. I think he's considered a sleeper because he never participated in the AAU circuit and wasn't noticed as much. He's been the leading scorer and all around player on the team that's won a state championship each of the last two years. That's pretty good.

I saw him last night in the Rocky Top League game, and he looks like he has a great attitude and fantastic ball handling skills. He's not the scorer that, say, Bobby Maze is, but he's definitely been playing well in the summer league.

If you've heard he hasn't been impressive, it has to be from fans watching the league games. It's the dead period for coaches, so there's no other way people could know how he's been doing other than through the Rocky Top league, and when I saw him last night, I was really impressed.

volball625 · 06-24-2008, 02:28 PM

I heard that he wasn't impressive in some pick up games with the rest of the team.

govols182 · 06-24-2008, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volball625

I heard that he wasn't impressive in some pick up games with the rest of the team.

Look at the other players on the team.

volball625 · 06-24-2008, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by govols182

Look at the other players on the team.

SEC players. He is going to be playing against SEC teams. So he might need to hold his own in practice.

vols_are_champs · 06-24-2008, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volball625

SEC players. He is going to be playing against SEC teams. So he might need to hold his own in practice.

a good point but he may be trying to establish himself as a calm player, or anti-Ramar. Not trying to do too much

volball625 · 06-24-2008, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vols_are_champs

a good point but he may be trying to establish himself as a calm player, or anti-Ramar. Not trying to do too much

Bad point.

vols_are_champs · 06-24-2008, 03:11 PM

he may be doing the same thing hopson is doing. taking it easy

Frankie53182 · 06-24-2008, 03:20 PM

Does anybody know what CJ Watson was rated coming out of high school. Sounds like this guys game may be similar coming out of HS.

JAllen18 · 06-24-2008, 03:25 PM

Also, Daniel West stayed away from the AAU teams and focused on school. Which is another reason why he wasnt highly rated.

I think if he played in those games and was more highly recognized by scouts than he might of been a 4 star.

VOLNBAMA · 06-24-2008, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie53182

Does anybody know what CJ Watson was rated coming out of high school. Sounds like this guys game may be similar coming out of HS.

CJ was a 4* top 100 player, so it doesn't work here. I agree with Volball here. When we signed West everybody talked about how good the kid is and that he's a sleeper. But when we sign a lower rated kid in football everybody bashes him. Not very consistent.