People living near Cedar Rapids

cyismydog · 04-25-2008, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

It kinda worries me when we are projecting 8th graders. I mean, I think back to my 8th grade AAU team and we we're really good, I hardly played, but thats another story. We had two guys end up all tournament team and finished top 5 at Nationals, neither wound up playing outside Juco ball and most of all, neither grew an inch. We had a 6'5" post dominate, but he was one of those guys that grew early and stopped. He played a little Juco ball but that was it. We had another guard who was the same boat. 6'1" in 8th grade and everyone thought he would keep growing. By the time we were juniors he wasn't even playing basketball anymore and ended up playing college baseball.

Just playing devil's advocate, but look at Demetrious Walker, on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a freshman, first in his class. Now, he only has one high major offer (USC), and isn't in Rivals 150. The whole problem was he was playing PF, then stopped growing. Right now, he is converting to guard. However, I don't foresee that problem with Marcus. Plus, his jumper is a thing of beauty, from what I've been reading.

necromancy · 04-25-2008, 11:30 AM

How about Mike Gessel? 6'4" high jump in 8th grade, is amazing.

cyismydog · 04-25-2008, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by necromancy

How about Mike Gessel? 6'4" high jump in 8th grade, is amazing.

A junior at our school jumped 6'1" as an 8th grader, tore his acl in football, and now maxes out at 5'10".

BryceC · 04-25-2008, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by cyismydog

Just playing devil's advocate, but look at Demetrious Walker, on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a freshman, first in his class. Now, he only has one high major offer (USC), and isn't in Rivals 150. The whole problem was he was playing PF, then stopped growing. Right now, he is converting to guard. However, I don't foresee that problem with Marcus. Plus, his jumper is a thing of beauty, from what I've been reading.

Or you can look at JR Angle for Iowa. Top 50 as a sophomore, can't find time on the floor as a college player because he stopped growing and wasn't athletic enough to play on the wing.

cyismydog · 04-25-2008, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by BryceC

Or you can look at JR Angle for Iowa. Top 50 as a sophomore, can't find time on the floor as a college player because he stopped growing and wasn't athletic enough to play on the wing.

Agreed JR was seen as the savior of Iowa's basketball program by some fans....top 50 soph, and as a senior was Indiana player of the year.

necromancy · 04-25-2008, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by cyismydog

A junior at our school jumped 6'1" as an 8th grader, tore his acl in football, and now maxes out at 5'10".

Bummer. One of the problems I have with football.

clone52 · 04-25-2008, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by cyismydog

Just playing devil's advocate, but look at Demetrious Walker, on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a freshman, first in his class. Now, he only has one high major offer (USC), and isn't in Rivals 150. The whole problem was he was playing PF, then stopped growing. Right now, he is converting to guard. However, I don't foresee that problem with Marcus. Plus, his jumper is a thing of beauty, from what I've been reading.

As long as Marcus grows a few more inches and doesn't lose his coordination, he'll be a good to great prospect. However, if he doesn't grow much more, he won't be that good of a prospect.

CrossCyed · 04-25-2008, 12:59 PM

JR Angle could probably get punched repeatedly in the face, and I think it would be an improvement.

Just sayin'

rd4isu · 04-25-2008, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by clone52

As long as Marcus grows a few more inches and doesn't lose his coordination, he'll be a good to great prospect. However, if he doesn't grow much more, he won't be that good of a prospect.

And I think this is the very reason that recruiting at this stage is a crap shoot. Some guys will pan out, some won't. The problem is that someone else is always willing to offer these 8th graders and if we don't jump in early then we're really behind the 8-ball. I think at the very least McD has shown a good eye for talent early on. Whether he can land said talent remains to be seen IMO.

ajk4st8 · 04-25-2008, 01:21 PM

Get him to commit now .... pull his offer if he sucks. It's really pretty easy. I know a lot of people wont like that, but why not?

iccyfan · 04-25-2008, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by rd4isu

And I think this is the very reason that recruiting at this stage is a crap shoot. Some guys will pan out, some won't.

I looked at his profile and much to my surprise, knew two kids on his Martin Bros. team (from SEJH in Iowa City). My son was on the same JH team as Jerel Moore last winter and Danny Amelon was on the other "A Team". While I filed away that I'd be watching both of them in City High uniforms some day, it never occurred to me they might be D1 recruits! I can't imagine how anyone, even Coach Mac, could project how these kids will develop when they're in 8th Grade. JMHO...

Cydkar · 04-25-2008, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by kg-cyclone

Too young...wasn't attacking you

All good, brother! I don;t like the idea of an offer because so many things can happen. Looks like some things have been mentioned in this thread. I've heard nothing but great things but you never know and it's a risk/reward thing.