All I know is that Elijah Pittman is not my determining basis for a D1 potential athlete. Do you think that Coach Tyndall at Morehead uses the Pittman method when determining a player's potential or Coach Bezold for that matter. Pittman was a good athlete, but there are so many other intangiable assets that a player can posses to get them to the next level.

 

Pittman may or may not be a D1 talent. And just because a player gets to a D1 school doesn't necessarily mean they will become a vital part of the squad over the course of 4-years either.

 

I have had this said to me by college coaches and gurus several times, "Kentucky kids get home-sick awfully easy and have a tendency to transfer to a school back home after a year in college." They say that stigma keeps some coaches from taking a chance on a player from our state. Does it hold water? I am not certain, but it was told to me several times by the ones doing the recruiting.

There's no denying there's truth to that statement. The highlight I posted shows what Prep ball is all about and what basketball outside of Kentucky can be like at the high school level.

 

On Jenkins prep team, you had 6'2 PG, Jenkins 6'4, WF 6'6, PF 6'7, and center at 6'11. You just don't see those types of line-ups locally and kids are able to develop skills at position that are more applicable to their height. Therefore, kids at 6'4 or 6'5 in Kentucky are taught center skills and never develop the right skills to play D1 or D2.

 

On an interesting note, Byron Allen #32 in blue in the clip below has committed today with George Mason. He's a 6'2 PG. That's interesting cause Chad Jackson is a PG too heading to George Mason I believe.

 

 

Chad Jackson is going to James Madison.

Chad Jackson is going to James Madison.

 

I thought I might have it mixed up. Was curious to why two PG's would go to the same school like. Thanks.

Probably a little too much emphasis these days trying to classify which level kids should play at. Does it make sense for a kid to sign D1 and sit the bench for 4 years??? I think if the kids go where they will get to play, get their education, and become productive citizens they will be making a very good decision.

I think everyone is confused over what I mean. Could Hodges go play D1 basketball tommorow. No of course not, but does he have the potential to play after next season? Yes, of course so. It will take alot of off season work on strength and skills, but when I say potential, I mean that he could legitimately play D1. Everyone is looking at his junior year for comparison. I am looking beyond his senior season. Now he may have other interests in staying home, off the court or whatever that prevent him from even playing ball at any level, but when you have a kid at 6'8" or 6'9" with the basic set of skills that he has, the potential is definately there and I would argue that with anyone. He has had good genes open the door for him, now he needs to walk thru it.

I think everyone is confused over what I mean. Could Hodges go play D1 basketball tommorow. No of course not, but does he have the potential to play after next season? Yes, of course so. It will take alot of off season work on strength and skills, but when I say potential, I mean that he could legitimately play D1. Everyone is looking at his junior year for comparison. I am looking beyond his senior season. Now he may have other interests in staying home, off the court or whatever that prevent him from even playing ball at any level, but when you have a kid at 6'8" or 6'9" with the basic set of skills that he has, the potential is definately there and I would argue that with anyone. He has had good genes open the door for him, now he needs to walk thru it.

 

Regardless of the kid's height and basic skill set, I just don't see the potential there.

 

Not a knock on him, but I just personally don't see it. Hopefully he proves me wrong.

I remember a 6'9 kid from Ludlow a few years back, Dan Penick. Didnt he try Div 1 hoops at Morehead St? I am thinking he didnt pan out down there. Any word on where he ended up?

I remember a 6'9 kid from Ludlow a few years back, Dan Penick. Didnt he try Div 1 hoops at Morehead St? I am thinking he didnt pan out down there. Any word on where he ended up?

 

I want to say he went on to play at Pikeville and I dont think he is still there now though?? I do not recall seeing his name on the roster or in box scores.

Edited March 30, 201016 yr by Touch The Line
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Probably a little too much emphasis these days trying to classify which level kids should play at. Does it make sense for a kid to sign D1 and sit the bench for 4 years??? I think if the kids go where they will get to play, get their education, and become productive citizens they will be making a very good decision.

 

Exactly the reason Samsel (Manual) signed early to play for the University of Findlay. Could he play at the lower D1 level? A lot of recruiters and Coaches said he could, but he would sit for a couple of years on the bench. At Findlay next year he will play and possibly start since their PG from last year graduated and the other quit because of grades. He gets to have fun by playing for a quality D2 school, while getting a awesome education. Great decision if you ask me.

I remember a 6'9 kid from Ludlow a few years back, Dan Penick. Didnt he try Div 1 hoops at Morehead St? I am thinking he didnt pan out down there. Any word on where he ended up?

 

I want to say he went on to play at Pikeville and I dont think he is still there now though?? I do not recall seeing his name on the roster or in box scores.

 

Penick went to Morehead St, they had a coaching change (new coaches didn't even know of him when he showed up) and he was never officially on the team so he left and went to Pikeville and then left there as well..

 

Never played college basketball though.

Exactly the reason Samsel (Manual) signed early to play for the University of Findlay. Could he play at the lower D1 level? A lot of recruiters and Coaches said he could, but he would sit for a couple of years on the bench. At Findlay next year he will play and possibly start since their PG from last year graduated and the other quit because of grades. He gets to have fun by playing for a quality D2 school, while getting a awesome education. Great decision if you ask me.

 

:thumb:

I remember a 6'9 kid from Ludlow a few years back, Dan Penick. Didnt he try Div 1 hoops at Morehead St? I am thinking he didnt pan out down there. Any word on where he ended up?

 

He was redshirted at Morehead, went to Wright St. then to Pikeville and is currently at Union. He was forced to quit Union due to a knee injury and I believe will be on the coaching staff as a student coach to maintain his scholarship. Injuries and attitude have hurt him, which is a shame because he was a good player.

Again, Hodges is a very solid player but for comparison:

 

Jeremiah Johnson of Holmes has a much better all around game, rebounds just as well at 6'4, better ball handler, and MUCH MORE athleticism. His two biggest offers are NKU and Campbellsville.

 

Cory Sorrell was a much better all around player than Hodges as well, and had size at 6'5. He ended up at D2 NKU.

 

Greg McGraw was a better shooter, stronger, more athletic, and defended better and he ended up at Transy.

 

Hodges isn't a D1 caliber player and that's not a knock on him, but a testament to how good you really have to be to play at that level. Ricardo Johnson will go down as one of the best players in NKY history and his biggest offer was Western Kentucky.

 

I think Hodges will play at the D2 or D3 level and go on to have a very successful career. I hope I'm wrong because I really like to see NKY get recognition at that level, but the c/o 2011 in NKY simply doesn't have that type of talent this coming season like some are hyping it up to have.

 

Who knows where Greg would have been able to play with a healthy back, he was very good. Greg never even got to play a game for Transy.

Wouldn't you also have to say that Thelen's numbers were skewed because he didn't play with very good guards? Wouldn't Geisler numbers be better if the offense didn't run thru Pangallo first? Giesler doesn't even get to practice basketball until December due to the football playoffs?

 

They are all good players and each brings something different to the table. Good players who will get a chance to play at the next level.

 

I could agree with you on the Geisler argument. But, I completely disagree with the Thelen situation. That entire team is run around him. Thelen gets the numbers he gets because they dont really have a ton of talent around him. Don't get me wrong, CovCath has some decent players, no knock there, but they don thave a McLeish and a Coleman, or a Pangallo.

 

Thelen numbers may be skewed, but they are skewed positively for him IMO.

 

My opinion, Geisler and Stauffer are the two best bigs in NKY.

IMO. The highest ceiling in NKY has to be Hodges. He has height and athleticism that is sought after at the D1 level. Word is he may end up being 6'10" and has the potential to be an excellent wing player. He does need to hit the weights. His numbers would be slightly different if he were not utilized as a center on his high school team. He doesn't have the strength to be a center at any level. If he has a good summer and developes physically, he will attract alot of attention.

 

If he hits 6'10" he has a decent shot to play at a bigger school. He definitely has talent. I agree that he should not be used as a center. However, I think that he has to get more agressive. A kid that is 6'8", rumored to possibly hit 6'10" should be attacking the rim and going head to head with and dunking on players at the highschool level. Strength and natural progression are key, i agree with you on this.