Recruiting: 2016

[IndyValpo]

We just signed a walk-on who averaged 21 points a game for a 4A school that plays in arguably the toughest sectional in the state.  We get a free look and if he is worthy he may qualify for a scholarship. Next year we will have 5 available. He is a career FT shooter of over 80%.  I seen him play he is a great find with zero risk.

I had some time last night and compiled a list of all the walk-ons we have had in our D1 lifetime. You can count on one hand the number of legitimate game contributors. No guarantee this is completely accurate but it should stir some memories.

Krautstrunk, Steve   1976-1978
Borrasso, Jim   1977-1979
Kriss, Rick   1978-1979
Kleckner, Dave   1981-1982
Casey, Nigel   1982-1984
McMahon, Dave   1985-1988
Tilden, Paul   1986-1987
Luethy, Dave    1979-1983
McKenzie, Craig   1988-1990
Dinnon, Matt   1989-1992
Groll, Jon   1991-1992
Lockhart, Scott   1993-1994
Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem   1994-1996
Rieman, Derek   1996-1997
Graham, Aric   1997-1999
Sparks, Chris   1997-2000
Kesler, Rob   1999-2000
Tenuta, JP   1999-2000
Toatley, Dwayne   1999-2001
Mailhot, Jeff   2000-2001
Kedrowski, Jon   2000-2002
Hawkins, Jason   2000-2003
Hooper, Jim   2003-2006
Kent, Mark   2004-2005
Mullen, Dan   2004-2005
Bennett, Matt   2006-2008
Ferry, Andrew   2008-2009
Fumey, Benjamin   2008-2009
Shelton, Nick   2008-2012
Carpenter, Griffyn   2011-2012
Stegelmann, Nathan   2011-2012
Levingston Simon, Chandler   2015-pres.

[VU2014]

Kiser is zero risk and could turn out to be a contributor and earn a scholarship if the coaches like him. Sounds like a good pick up.

VU72, ACO is pretty nice. Been there twice, I believe they treat it as the practice facilities for the men's basketball program and they must have a video room. They are in D1 athletics. It might not be a designate "video room" but there is absolutely no way they don't a room where they break down video with team. It was definitely an interesting article though. From an outsiders point of view I would think Oakland would be extremely grateful to Kampe because he is a really good coach. Not sure why he'd be on the hot seat even with some tough late season losses the lat view years. Article just made Oakland feel really down on the state of athletics. From everything I've heard is that they have one of the better mid-major athletic departments in the country. Interesting though. Thank you for sharing.

[VULB#62]

Kiser is zero risk and could turn out to be a contributor and earn a scholarship if the coaches like him. Sounds like a good pick up.

VU72, ACO is pretty nice. Been there twice, I believe they treat it as the practice facilities for the men's basketball program and they must have a video room. They are in D1 athletics. It might not be a designate "video room" but there is absolutely no way they don't a room where they break down video with team. It was definitely an interesting article though. From an outsiders point of view I would think Oakland would be extremely grateful to Kampe because he is a really good coach. Not sure why he'd be on the hot seat even with some tough late season losses the lat view years. Article just made Oakland feel really down on the state of athletics. From everything I've heard is that they have one of the better mid-major athletic departments in the country. Interesting though. Thank you for sharing.

They crushed the McCafferty trophy almost as soon as they joined the HL.

2015-16 Oakland 62 points and 8 post season championships, next closet Wright State with 39.5.  Valpo was 7th with 26
2014-15 Oakland 56, UWM40.5, Valpo 4th with 30.5
2013-14 UWM 43, Oakland 5th with 33.5, Valpo last with 20

By comparison Valpo, since going to the HL in 2007-2008, has finished 9/10, 10/10, 10/10, 10/10, 5/10, 6/9, 9/9, 4/9, 7/10. 

I know Butler is long gone but for many years they were the glamour MBB team of the conference and were a part of the HL for quite some time until they left after 2011-12. But they were good in other sports as well. By comparison, here's how they did in the McCafferty from 2003 - 11: 2/8, 2/9, 2/9, 1/9, 2/10, 4/10, 1/10, 1/10, 3/10

[valpo64]

FYI   On a radio interview I recently heard with "King Kampe", he mentioned hta although he received a 3 yeear deal with a "modest"  raise, he was happy that the administration authorized big increases for his assistants who apparently were on the low end of the scale for assistant coaches.

[zvillehaze]

John Kiser has committed to Valpo.

Looks like an interesting roll of the dice benefiting both parties. We get a D-1 quality (project?) player regardless of the Keith Carter appeal outcome. He comes to a solid program and institution which shows great loyalty to its chosen recruits. All else being equal I love having Indiana kids on the team.

Would he have competed against Smits in HS?

Zionsville and Noblesville are in the same conference and used to be in the same sectional, so I'm sure Kiser and Smits have played against each other.  I haven't seen Kiser play, but Noblesville has a very solid program, so I'm sure he'll be an asset to Valpo's team.

[talksalot]

1/16/15... they played each other... Smits was the "Player of the game" for his team... the video accompanying this is the John Kizer highlight reel...  (You'll have to join "MaxPreps" -free- to see it)

http://www.maxpreps.com/games/basketball-winter-14-15/noblesville-vs-zionsville/1-16-2015-9SmXOjT2CUeQGrjiiulZ3g.htm

[valpo64]

Thanks for the info, talksalot...wish we could see more of the game to see how Kizer did vs. Smits

[VULB#62]

Think Derrik helped recruit him?

[valpotx]

I don't think that Benjamin Fumey was a walk-on.  The guy went pro after his second season, and came from Germany.

[FWalum]

I don't think that Benjamin Fumey was a walk-on.  The guy went pro after his second season, and came from Germany.

The Benjamin Fumey situation was such a mixed up mess that I am not sure if you could even call him a real member of the team 

[Pgmado]

I don't think that Benjamin Fumey was a walk-on.  The guy went pro after his second season, and came from Germany.

The Benjamin Fumey situation was such a mixed up mess that I am not sure if you could even call him a real member of the team 

He was signed to the team after the coaches saw one VHS tape of him. That was it.

[bbtds]

Would he have competed against Smits in HS?

Yes, the Hoosier Crossroads Conference.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoosier_Crossroads_Conference

Lately the most successful in has probably been HSE.

[VULB#62]

Would he have competed against Smits in HS?

Yes, the Hoosier Crossroads Conference.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoosier_Crossroads_Conference

Lately the most successful in has probably been HSE.

Not to hi-jack the thread, but I scrolled down a bit further and saw Largest High School Gyms in the US. It's a real shame that Indiana is not well represented......

        State   City                Venue                       Capacity
1   Indiana   New Castle   New Castle Fieldhouse   9,325
2   Indiana   East Chicago   John A. Baratto Athletic Center   8,296
3   Indiana   Seymour   Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium   8,110
4   Indiana   Richmond   Tiernan Center   8,100
5   Indiana   Muncie   Muncie Fieldhouse   7,635
6   Indiana   Marion   Bill Green Athletic Arena   7,560
7   Texas   Dallas   Alfred J. Loos Fieldhouse   7,500
8   Indiana   Elkhart   North Side Gymnasium   7,373
9   Indiana   Michigan City   "The Wolves' Den" Gym   7,304
10   Indiana   Gary   West Side High School Gym   7,217
11   Indiana   Lafayette   Jefferson High School Gym   7,200
12   Indiana   Southport   Southport High School Gym   7,124
13   Indiana   Washington   "The Hatchet House"   7,090
14   Indiana   Columbus   Memorial Gymnasium   7,071
15=   Arizona   Chinle   Wildcat Den   7,000
15=   Kentucky   Somerset   Pulaski County High School Gym   7,000

[historyman]

Daily Southtown story on George Willborn III

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/sports/ct-sta-boys-basketball-de-la-salle-george-willborn-st-0108-20160107-story.html

Willborn also is an excellent student. He scored a 24 on the ACT and boasts a 3.7 GPA on a 4.0 scale. His ability to shine in the classroom and on the court has attracted a wide range of college suitors, including Tennessee State, George Washington, Furman, Chicago State, Southern Illinois, South Dakota State and others.

While Willborn's preference is to pick a college beyond the Chicago area, he'll sit down with his family before making a final decision.

"It's going to come down to which school puts me in the best position to reach my goals," Willborn said.

Willborn chose Texas-San Antonio.