May 27, 2010


Blue Zertuche
TexasHoops.com Recruiting Analyst

Bigs

Big men always get the most attention when it's time to fill college rosters. With 6-foot-7 Andre Roberson out of San Antonio Wagner High School heading to the Big XII (Colorado) and 6-foot-9 Kevin Thomas from Waco University going down south to Tulane, that leaves 6-foot-8 Alex Davis of Houston Yates High School as the lone big man still unsigned in the class of 2010 that is a Division I prospect. Davis is a long, wiry post that is a shot blocker and rebounder. At Yates, he wasn't ask to do much except those two things because of the energetic guards and the offense, which was designated to shoot first. Davis needs some time to develop, but he is a player with size and knows how to win.

Combo guards

Qualifier Dre Evans headlines the unsigned seniors. Is Evans a one or a two? At 5-foot-9, the one thing that is certain is the Dallas Carter High School guard's ability to score. He is a player who stretches the defense out to 23 feet, and when he races down the floor in transition, if not guarded, Evans will drain the deep ball. He has nice handles, and when given the opportunity to run a team, Evans comes through by distributing the ball. Still, he needs a bit more polishing at the point but has a chance to make a low-major or mid-major a great get this late in the year. After a huge weekend in Vegas a month back, Brandon Jefferson from Lewisville High School has sparked some interest. Like Evans, Jefferson is a deep threat and is a very streaky shooter. Jefferson has had the likes of UT-Pan American, Central Arkansas and Gardner-Webb showing interest, but Appalachian State (N.C.) will host him this weekend. Jefferson played more point this year, but he needs more reps at the position to be a full-time ball-handler.

Point guards

At 6-foot-2, Donald Dallas of Austin LBJ High School has the size and the body to do damage on both sides of the ball as a point. Dallas can hit the open shot, but his strength is getting by defenders and finishing at the rim. Dallas is an unselfish player that looks to get his teammates involves. Dallas is getting interest from NAIA's, Division IIs, and junior colleges, which he states he is leaning more towards. Sticking with the point guards, Spring High School's Don Thomas is a crafty southpaw. He scores with floaters and a mid-range jumper. He is a quick guard and plays with a ton of energy. Thomas mentioned that he had offers from Santa Clara and Houston Baptist but will more than likely attend prep school at Humble Christian Life because of academics. Pearland High School was the home of Kevin Williams, who was once regarded as a high-major prospect. Williams will excel in a system that surrounds him with players that allows him to be a playmaker. Williams may have fallen from the once high-major status, but with patience, he is a steal. Cedar Hill High School prospect Oliver Wells always bounced back and forth with playing football or basketball in college. Football won out, as Wells, a wide receiver, signed with Central Arkansas. Frisco High School speedy 5-foot-10 senior leader, Quince Jackson has stirred up some interest from Louisiana-Monroe and Sam Houston State after a terrific senior year, averaging about 20 points per game.

Wings

A big-time athlete who also is a recent state champion, Jordan Clark of Fort Bend Bush High School is an explosive wing who is narrowing down his decision between two junior colleges -- Navarro College (East Conference) and McClennan Community College (North Conference). Henry Riasco of Houston Second Baptist recently visited Division II Drury University in Missouri, and he has Delta State on his heels. Riasco says if the right JUCO comes along, he would take a look at it. Riasco is a strong-built athlete who penetrates the defense and creates off the dribble. He uses his size to mix it up and is a good rebounder. Dallas Kimball High School star, David Kates is trying to get things together to give it one last push at a Division I school. Kates is a player that when he has the hot hand, you keep feeding him the ball. Kates' long, lanky body gives him an advantage on both ends. He is a good defender and will go and grab boards. Kates has both D-1 and JUCO onlookers waiting on him to make a decision.

Notables

Klein Collins High School standout Jared Brown is suiting back up with the Houston Hoopstars to get some more exposure. The 6-foot-2 wing is a nice slasher. ... Cedric Jones of LaPorte High School is a versatile guard that makes plays. He can handle the ball and, with his 6-foot-4 frame, doesn't mind mixing it up in the paint. ... Elton Roy, another Yates prospect, is a player who has a good feel for the game and can score in bunches. ... Lancaster High School's Sheldon Earl is a do-it-all player who can play multiple guard positions. He has strong handles and will take the ball to the hole. 6-foot-6 Dennis Bio is a paint player with a lot of bounce and big-time hops. Devon Brown can get up and down in transition and can score around the basket. Elliot Franshaw, Strake Jesuit, is a shot blocker and rebounder but needs to add pounds on his frame. Emmanuel Okoroba is a long athlete that can take the ball to the hole and finish. Dallas Woodrow Wilson's Stephon Smith has a division I body and he can take up space in the lane. He is a bit raw, but will play with his back to the basket. Chris Burk is another wide body and a player who scores in the paint.

Point Guard Will Young is a heady and hard-nose player that knows how to get the ball to the open player. Christian Schofield is a competitor on both sides of the ball and has a good outside shot. Aaron Turner is a perimeter player who can stroke the three. And Austin Westlake's Connor Kemper is a versatile forward that can pick and pop or put the ball on the floor. He is a nice scorer and is blue collar.