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Take some time to check out these Top Play nominees from 2014-15. If you don't mind, give me your Top 10 or even Top 5 (or top 20..lol anything you prefer). It would mean a lot to the kids to find out that the Top plays were actually voted upon by basketball fans. I will redo the video after voting and maybe even try to get some Mountain Mission kids to do some play by play like Sportscenter. All you need is a pen to write down the number on the Top plays you like the best. Choose as many as you like and give me the order of your favorites. ENJOY!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQpqG0kWhXQ

Now that I can post links   

Please take a couple minutes to check out Mountain Mission School. It is an amazing place and more people need to know about it and its mission. I grew up a little over 2 hours from it and never heard about it until coming here to law school.

http://mmskids.org

This short video sums up the school very well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdkK1EQ6uMg


Here are the highlights of the 2016 kids I mentioned above.

6'10 F Bender
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TQcbovlwko

6'9 260 C Jethro Tshisumpa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0pr-SsE3sA

6'5 SG Harold Baruti
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcVSA3aGsOw

6'7 SG/SF Jakub Mijakowski
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uITnOW5hcMY

Also take a look at this 2015 unsigned PG. This is my favorite video. Love these type of PGs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfYs-90wuPY

JDemp13 - Thanks for the response. I'll keep the Big 12 discussion off this board to prevent boredom by everyone else.

Good point on the coaching staff. Specifically, it would seem like Roger Powell could be great at further developing Daniel. As a player and now a coach, Roger has been great at getting everything possible from his own and others' abilities. Furthermore, Roger is a class act.

I agree.
Even though Mountain Mission offers much more as far as individual workouts, structured practices for 6+ months, great weight room facilities, and a well versed and experienced coaching staff, it is still not as intense and hands on as college programs. This fact makes me really excited to see Daniel's growth at Valpo. He was a swimmer before picking up basketball less than 3 years ago. I think this helped him with the conditioning aspect that hinders some guys his size. The next thing that amazed me was how well his shot (form, touch, and consistency) from 15+ feet. IMO he could easily develop the ability to knock down shots from 3. He had a lot of problems with footwork and balance when he first arrived. That's completely understandable with limited experience. However, the thing that surprised me was how fast he developed those skills. I have seen players that have played their entire life not develop that ability and the fact that he has done it in such a short period of time really amazes me. It is rare to see. Another great ability he has is to guard on the ball screens. He hedges so well. I guess that's just another thing that came naturally to him.
Anyways, he is a hard working young man and naturally using either hand very well. He listens, learns, and is very respectful. Most of all he is a great kid on and off the court. For example, they had a drawing/competition for prizes at the school and Daniel won a big box of cookies (which are a rare commodity because the nearest grocery store is quite a was from the school). Instead of keeping them and taking them to his room, he shared them with all the little kids there. I don't know if he ate 1 from the box. You have to keep in mind that Mountain Mission is a school for underprivileged kids, so giving them this was like passing out $100 bills. The little kids kept asking the teachers why didn't he eat any and why was he just giving them away. Lol. It was pretty cute to say the least.
I know that story may seem trivial to some, but it's just little things like that that demonstrates his character. Another story is how he responded when he was out for a week late in the season due to an ankle injury. Every game we played, he was the loudest person in the gym cheering on his teammates, communicating with them, and being a leader. He didn't sit at the end of the bench or act unenthusiastic, he was sitting right beside of me (4 seat on the bench) and he was vocal at all points in the game no matter the score.

Sorry for typing a novel, but I am just very excited for Daniel and Valpo. Daniel is the type of kid that makes you love coaching.

JDemp13 - thanks for posting about Daniel Relvao. Obviously after yesterday, Valpo fans are both dissapointed and optimistic. If this kid has the ability to play meaningful minutes as a true freshman, I would hope that Valpo does not redshirt him. The difference between a good and a truly great Valpo team next year may well be getting 40 quality minutes next year at the 5 position. The 3.3 blocked shots per game in the FIBA U18 tournament is the most interesting info, but it is also very encouraging to hear how much he has developed in the last year.

On another mention in your post, I am curious about your following of WVU. While they play a very annoying brand of basketball (which could be the best chance of upsetting Kentucky), I would point out that there is really an inconsistency between emphasizing and valuing high character and Bob Huggins. From a character standpoint, Bob Huggins was a complete embarassment at Cincinnati for many years, though admittedly I have not heard anything terrible negative or positive regarding his time at Kansas State or WVU. Like many here, I do think that character is critical in college sports and welcome your thoughts. Furthermore, it is truly appreciated that you took the time to post about Daniel Relvao on this site.

Thanks for the compliments. To your first point I have no doubt that Valpo staff will make the right decision in terms of Daniel. Valpo has an excellent staff and I will not question either decision they make.
On your second topic, I am a WVU graduate (2007) and a native (and proud) WVian (only 2 D1 schools in the state). Growing up in a state with limited D1 programs and NO professional teams usually results in many citizen developing a fierce love the flagship school. That is what happened to me. Think of it this way...  Cincinnati has had great college basketball teams but they still don't have the love of the Reds. Pitt has had some great football and basketball teams but they are not the Steelers. Texas has great college athletics but they are not the Cowboys. WVU is all many WVians sports fans have to love and have pride in.

On a side note, I love WVU's team (defensively) this year. I was raised in a very small town (50 in a graduating class at a public school) and basketball was all the community had (no football team and baseball only had a handful of winning seasons in the 60 year lifespan of the school). The program was built on pressing, hard nose defense, and up tempo play. The results were dozens of state tournament appearances and a half a dozen state championships. It is tough for me to ever question a hall of fame coach's decisions concerning basketball so I do  not talk much about it.
Last, my love for WVU has no influence on the players I coach. We are an open recruiting school and if we ever had a player that was offered by WVU, I would advise him on what was best for him. My love for the kids I coach outweighs other things. For example, if WVU and Valpo ever meet while Daniel is there, I will hope Daniel gets 30, 15 and 6. Lol

Love the video! 6-9, 240, big frame, good post moves for someone with so little experience.  I can't wait to see him in a Valpo uniform!  Thanks for sharing!

In your opinion, does Mountain Mission have any quality 2016 candidates that might be a good fit for Valpo (serious question)?

We have been blessed with a great group of kids so there are no character issues preventing any of them from playing at Valpo. The kids that we have that are D1 prospects are: Baruti 6'5 SG, Mijakowski 6'7 SG/SF, Bender 6'10 F, and Thsisumpa 6'9 260 C. We have some younger kids that could potentially play D1, but those 4 are D1 recruits. You can watch their videos on my YouTube page.

Naw, don't worry about it.  It was nice to have something positive after that, to me at least.

Thank you for being here and we hope to see more of you.

Do you think he'd benefit more from a redshirt or from playing immediately?

Thanks for the warm welcome.
To be honest, if you would have asked me that last year my immediate answer would have been yes. However, the progress he has made in such a short period of time (with his limited experience) makes me excited to see just how good he will be when next season comes around.
I can't say enough about his character as well. I know you may think I'm exaggerating but I'm not. He is an outstanding young man.

I'm sorry about the timing. I posted it earlier this morning, but it must have just been approved. That's why I couldn't  link the sites in the post as well.

I am a current law school student and coach at Mountain Mission School. I wanted to share Daniel's Senior year highlights with all the Valpo basketball fans. Daniel has less than 3 years basketball experience and the progress he has made since stepping on campus is amazing to say the least. He has a huge upside and just seems to get better everyday. Daniel is not only a talented and very coachable player, but he is also a great young man off the court and in the classroom. Valpo did a great job at landing this kid and I am now a fan of Valpo basketball (Except when you play WVU  )

#14 Daniel Relvao 6'9 240 lb. (7'3 Wingspan) Class of 2015 PF/C Mountain Mission School, Grundy, Va. 2014-15 Senior Season Basketball Highlights Originally from Portugal.
*Side note* I have highlights for the majority of our kids on my youtube page. We have a very talented group of 2016 kids. MOST IMPORTANTLY take a couple minutes to check out Mountain Mission's website at the bottom. It is an amazing place that does amazing things for children from all over the world.

youtube.com/watch?v=OZiv2eOc3UE

Since 1921, God has brought more than 20,000 at-risk youth out of their distress and into the land of promise that is Grundy's Mountain Mission School.

We serve as home, church and school to more than 200 kids in need, coming to us not only from Appalachia, but also from more than 60 countries worldwide.

MMS provides each child with the foundation of first-rate academics, a loving family environment, positive social support, and a firm commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

mmskids.org