As promised I have some reports for you all about the three commits last night. However, first, I would like to point out that Bostick, Stevens, and Carr will be playing against each other tonight. So, if you call can get out to see them play, you should. Game starts at 7:30.
Tony Carr: I had Carr for 15,7,6 last night and only one turnover. It was a back and fourth game it seemed, but Team Hardnett had the game in their hands from start to begining. Carr was really able to get in the lane and create for his teamates, most notably Deandre Hunter (UVA commit). Carr I would say is a very legit six foot four with long arms and strides. He really pushed the ball on the break a little more than he usually does, which is a GREAT thing. Carr usually plays at his own pace, which is slower and under control. For PSU next year he really needs to increase his tempo and style of player. Only hit one jump shot last night, but lived at the rim and in the lane, probably could have had a double double if his teamates could knock down some shots. I am not sure if I ever said this about Tone, but he finishes very well at the rim, but has developed a natural way of finishing of balance and with a floater.
I see a four year solid PG for PSU. I see a kid who is going to help win us a lot of games and lead. He has great body language for a 18 year old kid. Very solid career waiting for him.
Nas Bostick: Had him for 18&8 boards. As I have described before, he does a lot of the dirty work and nothing was new last night. I see a plus defender in Bostick. Offensivley, he is limited he is a dunker and a guy who will do the dirty work on the boards. He did hit 3-4 mid range jump shots in the middle of the zone, all in the second half. The rest of his points were off dunks. Honestly, I see a program player who is the 7-8 man off the bench. I don't see too many 6 foot 3 guards have success inside in the Big 10. He is not a guard, which is my biggest concern, and he wants to be the guard and be the decision maker, which is my problem with him. Average to below average passer, his angles on entry passes are very poor. Good night for him last night, but my questions remain.
Lamar Stevens: Stevens had 21&10 on 7-22 shooting and added some free throws in there. Lamar really struggled last night, plain and simple. He had a really tough time getting anything inside in the Half court, due to Dylan Painter (Nova commit) blocking about six of his shots. To Lamar's credit, he stuck with it. He played every minute of the game, he has a plus motor. Lamar really needs to develop the mid range shot, that is so key to his future success. At only six foot six it is going to be tough for him to exclusively score inside. He needs to be able to mix up his game. I see Lamar mixing it up at 3/4 man, but I think his best future success is still as a small ball four. Battled with Painter the whole night, wasn't given much help otherwise, but got a key stop when he needed to. For myself, I have seen Lamar play over 50 times in various settings and it all comes back to can he shoot? Or shoot it well enough? Last night, he didn't shoot it well enough, other nights he has. It needs to become a trend of consistentcey. I will say he is more willing to shoot a mid range shot than he was years ago. He needs more polish on his game, but who doesn't? I still remain with the up most confidence in big wins to come in years for PSU that Lamar will be a contributer to them.
Overall, it was nice to see the PSU commits win both games. All of them were solid, but not spectacular, which is fine. All three have things to work on, no player is perfect. That is all of what I took away from last night. These were two competitive games, especially Lamar's game, which featured 8 D1 players.
Tip Ins:
Lonnie Walker: Talent wise, he was the best player on the floor, but game wise he didn't show it last night. Obviously, he is very good, just struggled. Lonnie gets insane elevation off the bounce and into his shot, no one is challenging the shot. His handle has improved as well, still see him as a wing at the next level. Had him for 14 points on 5-14 shooting. Very good defensive player.
Cam Reddish: Really struggled last night. That is probably the worst I have ever seen him play. 3-17 shooting and only made one three. I would describe Reddish in the first half playing lazy basketball, very low energy. He seems to me to be a little entitled. He is only a sophomore, but needs to improve in a lot of areas. Lonnie Walker gave him fits last night. Needs to be introduced to the weight room.
Taylor Funk: Finished with 5 points in 2-6 shooting. Taylor wasn't really looked for by his teamates, bypassed a few times. Very good looking shot and appers to have a lot of confidence. Has talent, just didn't get a chance to show it. A kid I would definitely monitor, looks like a scorer. Needs work on his lateral quickness and strength in general. In these types of games, it is easy to get lost, so I have no real concern with him. He looks better in a system.
Deandre Hunter was the best player in both games last night.
Dylan Painter was very impressive on both ends, very good ball skills and a plus passer.
Darron "Fatz" Russel a very intriging prospect. Hard to narrow his recruitment down. Head there might be some PSU interest, not sure on which end right now. I will do some more digging.
Go Lions.
Tony Carr: I had Carr for 15,7,6 last night and only one turnover. It was a back and fourth game it seemed, but Team Hardnett had the game in their hands from start to begining. Carr was really able to get in the lane and create for his teamates, most notably Deandre Hunter (UVA commit). Carr I would say is a very legit six foot four with long arms and strides. He really pushed the ball on the break a little more than he usually does, which is a GREAT thing. Carr usually plays at his own pace, which is slower and under control. For PSU next year he really needs to increase his tempo and style of player. Only hit one jump shot last night, but lived at the rim and in the lane, probably could have had a double double if his teamates could knock down some shots. I am not sure if I ever said this about Tone, but he finishes very well at the rim, but has developed a natural way of finishing of balance and with a floater.
I see a four year solid PG for PSU. I see a kid who is going to help win us a lot of games and lead. He has great body language for a 18 year old kid. Very solid career waiting for him.
Nas Bostick: Had him for 18&8 boards. As I have described before, he does a lot of the dirty work and nothing was new last night. I see a plus defender in Bostick. Offensivley, he is limited he is a dunker and a guy who will do the dirty work on the boards. He did hit 3-4 mid range jump shots in the middle of the zone, all in the second half. The rest of his points were off dunks. Honestly, I see a program player who is the 7-8 man off the bench. I don't see too many 6 foot 3 guards have success inside in the Big 10. He is not a guard, which is my biggest concern, and he wants to be the guard and be the decision maker, which is my problem with him. Average to below average passer, his angles on entry passes are very poor. Good night for him last night, but my questions remain.
Lamar Stevens: Stevens had 21&10 on 7-22 shooting and added some free throws in there. Lamar really struggled last night, plain and simple. He had a really tough time getting anything inside in the Half court, due to Dylan Painter (Nova commit) blocking about six of his shots. To Lamar's credit, he stuck with it. He played every minute of the game, he has a plus motor. Lamar really needs to develop the mid range shot, that is so key to his future success. At only six foot six it is going to be tough for him to exclusively score inside. He needs to be able to mix up his game. I see Lamar mixing it up at 3/4 man, but I think his best future success is still as a small ball four. Battled with Painter the whole night, wasn't given much help otherwise, but got a key stop when he needed to. For myself, I have seen Lamar play over 50 times in various settings and it all comes back to can he shoot? Or shoot it well enough? Last night, he didn't shoot it well enough, other nights he has. It needs to become a trend of consistentcey. I will say he is more willing to shoot a mid range shot than he was years ago. He needs more polish on his game, but who doesn't? I still remain with the up most confidence in big wins to come in years for PSU that Lamar will be a contributer to them.
Overall, it was nice to see the PSU commits win both games. All of them were solid, but not spectacular, which is fine. All three have things to work on, no player is perfect. That is all of what I took away from last night. These were two competitive games, especially Lamar's game, which featured 8 D1 players.
Tip Ins:
Lonnie Walker: Talent wise, he was the best player on the floor, but game wise he didn't show it last night. Obviously, he is very good, just struggled. Lonnie gets insane elevation off the bounce and into his shot, no one is challenging the shot. His handle has improved as well, still see him as a wing at the next level. Had him for 14 points on 5-14 shooting. Very good defensive player.
Cam Reddish: Really struggled last night. That is probably the worst I have ever seen him play. 3-17 shooting and only made one three. I would describe Reddish in the first half playing lazy basketball, very low energy. He seems to me to be a little entitled. He is only a sophomore, but needs to improve in a lot of areas. Lonnie Walker gave him fits last night. Needs to be introduced to the weight room.
Taylor Funk: Finished with 5 points in 2-6 shooting. Taylor wasn't really looked for by his teamates, bypassed a few times. Very good looking shot and appers to have a lot of confidence. Has talent, just didn't get a chance to show it. A kid I would definitely monitor, looks like a scorer. Needs work on his lateral quickness and strength in general. In these types of games, it is easy to get lost, so I have no real concern with him. He looks better in a system.
Deandre Hunter was the best player in both games last night.
Dylan Painter was very impressive on both ends, very good ball skills and a plus passer.
Darron "Fatz" Russel a very intriging prospect. Hard to narrow his recruitment down. Head there might be some PSU interest, not sure on which end right now. I will do some more digging.
Go Lions.
