Recruiting: 2017

[valpotx]

Parker appears to have the low post game that Rowdy and AP had to develop over time, so it will be an inverse of what we have been used to, where his outside shot will need some development for him to be a stretch SF/PF.  However, he seems very athletic, and his shot does not look all too bad, from the limited non-layups/dunks that we see.  It will be a bit like Dan Oppland, though Dan was more of a true PF, that learned to shoot the 3 over his last few seasons.

[a3uge]

Parker appears to have the low post game that Rowdy and AP had to develop over time, so it will be an inverse of what we have been used to, where his outside shot will need some development for him to be a stretch SF/PF.  However, he seems very athletic, and his shot does not look all too bad, from the limited non-layups/dunks that we see.

This is a great point. Rowdy had to develop ball skills to create his own shot. Alec developed a low post game. Carter developed an outside shot. These guys had to develop and diversify their skills over time. Had they came into college with these abilities, they'd likely be playing for someone like Michigan State or Louisville.

[VU2014]

Purdue assistant coach Brandon Brantley looking on and talking to him after the game.

There are very few recruits that I've followed closely, in hopes of landing them because you know they are underrated and are going to be good players. Sasha is one of those guys. It's going to sting if we strike out on this guy. The kid can flat out ball and he's going to be a good player. I know Purdue has been looking at him for a while.

I was just taking a look at Purdue's Verbal Commit Profile and it says they have -1 scholarships available for the year 2017. They have 2 kids signed for next seasons recruiting class already. Sasha hasn't received an official offer from Purdue, but he has taken an unofficial visit. https://twitter.com/GoldandBlackcom/status/793587290136125440
https://twitter.com/INBBallSource/status/793585458383056896

[vu72]

I see Parker as a bigger version of Shane, as he is quick and very athletic.  Like Shane, he may not have the greatest outside shot but that can be developed.  Valpo's teams seem to be getting more athletic all the time.  Think about next year with Parker, Joe and Bakari adding to Tevonn, Micah and Lexus!

[M]

I would imagine Purdue will lose at least one, maybe both, of Haas and Swanigan to the draft. They are both underclassmen. 

[VU2014]

Parker appears to have the low post game that Rowdy and AP had to develop over time, so it will be an inverse of what we have been used to, where his outside shot will need some development for him to be a stretch SF/PF.  However, he seems very athletic, and his shot does not look all too bad, from the limited non-layups/dunks that we see.  It will be a bit like Dan Oppland, though Dan was more of a true PF, that learned to shoot the 3 over his last few seasons.

I'd say its much tougher to develop a good jump shot then it is to teach post moves for coaches. Coaches can teach shooting mechanics but I don't think you can teach that natural touch on the ball that natural born shooters have. Just in my experience.

[FieldGoodie05]

Purdue graduates (2)
Has (2) signed for 2017

They are now at 13 scholarships, but then they have (1) commit for 2017...this should mean they need (1) transfer to meet their current signed and committed players for 2017. 

So this seemingly means they need (2) transfers to even have (1) spot open for Sasha?

[FieldGoodie05]

Or any net loss (transfer, NBA, step away from basketball, etc)

[valpotx]

Parker appears to have the low post game that Rowdy and AP had to develop over time, so it will be an inverse of what we have been used to, where his outside shot will need some development for him to be a stretch SF/PF.  However, he seems very athletic, and his shot does not look all too bad, from the limited non-layups/dunks that we see.  It will be a bit like Dan Oppland, though Dan was more of a true PF, that learned to shoot the 3 over his last few seasons.

I'd say its much tougher to develop a good jump shot then it is to teach post moves for coaches. Coaches can teach shooting mechanics but I don't think you can teach that natural touch on the ball that natural born shooters have. Just in my experience.

Based on the limited videos I have seen, he does have some good mechanics for a mid/long-range jumper.  He will need to extend that to the 3 point line, which I believe he even admitted to when he committed. 

[valpo64]

I think the video of Parker Hazen was from last year.  The Columbia City  team of this year is TERRIBLE!  On at least 2 occasions Hazen has had only 2 or 3 total points per game.  Last night I believe he had 3.  Is he hurt?  I think his team has only won 1 game this year.  I'm not saying that he is not a good find, but just wondering what is going on with him so far this year.  Perhaps someone could check out his stats for this season.

[valpo4life]

I think the video of Parker Hazen was from last year.  The Columbia City  team of this year is TERRIBLE!  On at least 2 occasions Hazen has had only 2 or 3 total points per game.  Last night I believe he had 3.  Is he hurt?  I think his team has only won 1 game this year.  I'm not saying that he is not a good find, but just wondering what is going on with him so far this year.  Perhaps someone could check out his stats for this season.

They've only got 2 wins on the season. Only returned 2 players from their previous year's roster and have a new head coach. Doesn't exactly sound like a recipe for success, even if you are a D1 player.

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/lancebechtold/status/810164978531573760

https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/810290216225255424

[talksalot]

Columbia City

Date   Opponent   Result
11/23  7:45p  Whitko (South Whitley, IN) 60 - 41  Loss
11/26  7:45p  @ Warsaw (Warsaw, IN)   62 - 41 Loss
12/2    7:45p  Fort Wayne Northrop    39 - 38 Loss
12/6    7:45p  @ Churubusco   67 - 59  Loss
12/10  7:45p  @ Carroll (Fort Wayne, IN)  77 - 47 Loss
12/16  7:45p  East Noble 52 - 40  Win
12/20  7:45p  Wawasee   52 - 34  Loss

12/29  TBA   @  Holiday Hoops in Columbia City
12/30  TBA:   Valparaiso High School @ Holiday Hoops in Columbia City

Overall 1-6   Conference 1-0   National Rank 7673    State (IN) Rank 241

[IndyValpo]

Purdue graduates (2)
Has (2) signed for 2017

They are now at 13 scholarships, but then they have (1) commit for 2017...this should mean they need (1) transfer to meet their current signed and committed players for 2017. 

So this seemingly means they need (2) transfers to even have (1) spot open for Sasha?

Not sure what you are looking at but Purdue has only 10 on scholarship (1 senior) with 3 walk-ons (the other senior). They have the ability to sign 4 in the next class. Swanigan will be all accounts go pro though Haas would be making a mistake if he did.  V Edwards declared last year but returned and will probably do the same thing again.

[EddieCabot]

I see Parker as a bigger version of Shane, as he is quick and very athletic.  Like Shane, he may not have the greatest outside shot but that can be developed.  Valpo's teams seem to be getting more athletic all the time.  Think about next year with Parker, Joe and Bakari adding to Tevonn, Micah and Lexus!

Good points.  Valpo will definitely miss Alec and Shane next year, but Coach Lottich is adding guys who will help them "reload" instead of "rebuild".

I think fears that recruiting would fall off without Bryce and Roger were unwarranted.

[FieldGoodie05]

http://www.verbalcommits.com/schools/purdue

[M]

Another 14 point performance from mileek in a loss down state. Sounded like he hit both ends of a 1 and 1 when Merrillville was making a comeback attempt. They lost by 3 to McCutcheon.

[covufan]

Purdue graduates (2)
Has (2) signed for 2017

They are now at 13 scholarships, but then they have (1) commit for 2017...this should mean they need (1) transfer to meet their current signed and committed players for 2017. 

So this seemingly means they need (2) transfers to even have (1) spot open for Sasha?

Not sure what you are looking at but Purdue has only 10 on scholarship (1 senior) with 3 walk-ons (the other senior). They have the ability to sign 4 in the next class. Swanigan will be all accounts go pro though Haas would be making a mistake if he did.  V Edwards declared last year but returned and will probably do the same thing again.

This is how I read the Purdue situation: They currently have 12 on scholarship, two of which are former walk-ons.  They currently have 4 for next year - one JC transfer (LOI), and three HS seniors (two LOI and one VC).  If the player that was a former walk-on returns to walk-on status, Purdue will be fine with scholarships.  If one (or more) of the players heads to the NBA, then Sasha will potentially get a scholarship offer.  That is why he hasn't committed, and why Purdue is still recruiting him.

Stay in school!

[bbtds]

Mileek had 14 pets, 7 rebounds and 3 blocked shots tonight in a win over Morton.

Maybe Mileek should be checked out by the Lake County Animal Control. 14 pets!

[VU2014]

Not sure if anyone saw this but it could be a positive sign:

https://twitter.com/CPBulldogHoops/status/814319420231315460

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/814329546472308736

https://twitter.com/Sash_Stefanovic/status/814331349297414145

https://twitter.com/Sash_Stefanovic/status/814334435554447360

I could be just trying to read too much into the tea leaves. But either way nice to see a friendship between one of the greatest players in school history and a great recruit from the area. I've been beating the Sasha Stefanovic drum for a while, but this kid is going to be a difference maker and is going to be a great player. Really hoping Sasha choses Valpo to go to school. He'd get big minutes his Freshman year and would be a great fit for the program. I think it would be a win-win: great program, great education, top mid-major program, great coaching. Fingers crossed.

Additional noteworthy comment when it comes to recruiting:

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/815030045181874177

With John Middleton's departure now we have 3 scholarship opening for class 2017 now:

Signed Players:

-Parker Hazen (SF)

-Mileek McMillan (PF)

2017 Outstanding Offers:
-Sasha Stefanovic (SG)
-Greg Elliott (SG)
-Axel Okongo (C)

My gut tells me now with Middleton's departure, that we are hoping for Sasha to sign. Then other 2 will be filled out with transfers in the offseason or Kiser will get one of the scholarships. I haven't seen enough of Kiser play to make a judgement on him yet. I heard he had mono earlier this year which really affected him.

It will be interesting to see who signs. I'm hopeful/optimistic on Sasha, but with Elliot I haven't heard anything and with Axel is a huge mystery.

[valpotx]

I wasn't high on Middleton's signing.  A transfer from Utah State does not really impress me.

[FieldGoodie05]

I agree, he was not impressive from what videos I could find on him (Middleton).

But is John Kiser better? If he gets the open scholarship.  Has anyone seen or heard much from him (high school or his time here)?

I'm of the belief we need players on scholarship who are practice squad types as well, so to me it may be a mute point.  Maybe he plays as a senior in a limited role? (Davidson-esque)

[crusader05]

Kiser played vs Chicago State where he had 6 or 9 points. It sounds like he was injured earlier in the season which is why we haven't seen much of him. I've heard he's been good in practice and his time on the court did not actively hurt us, which, for a freshman walk-on, seems like clearing a bar that some scholarship players can't always claim.

The thing to remember about next year is that we already have Mileek & Hazen coming, and Burton and Bakari will be eligible. So even if we give Kiser one Scholarship we are still going to be looking at 5 new players coming in next year, fighting for time, while still having Lexus, Micah, Tevonn, Jaume and Derrik as well as Max. I hope we get Sasha, but if not, I think a transfer or another "project' would be a good thing to have. Kiser seems like Glue for the team and teams need those guys. Look at Davidson. He has stuck it out, even when maybe his coaches would have been okay with his leaving, and his teammates devotion to him (specifically Alecs) has most likely made them a tighter team.

[VUBBFan]

Valpo was looking at Taylor Bruninga from Illini Bluffs. It doesn't hurt that this guy was asked to pose with him during winter break.

[VU2014]

I saw Paul RT a few tweets about Taylor Bruninga last week. The similarities between him and Peters are striking, two 6'8" - 6'9" guys who can really ball from small towns in central Illinois. Both under recruited. I'm not going to say he's Peters but he's sort of the same type of stretch 4 player with a nice jump shot. Just from a quick google search he is absolutely taring up his division. I believe he don't play in the biggest division in the state of illinois so they don't have the opportunity to play the best teams in the state, but still the numbers he's putting up are eye popping. He is starting to get more buzz because of the insane #'s he's putting up and even being talked about as a potential Mr. Illinois Basketball Player of the year. Someone definitely to keep an eye on.

I think if Valpo offers which we might I think we'd be a great place for him to develop his game and get playing time. Peters and Rowdy's development in college is a blueprint for a player with his skill set.

https://twitter.com/Illinois_Irish/status/815257592398249988
https://twitter.com/Illinois_Irish/status/815258247426953218
https://twitter.com/Illinois_Irish/status/815259059569954816
https://twitter.com/racingumby/status/815269240320196610
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/815258057093632000
https://twitter.com/DanMolloyTV/status/808866956082380802
https://twitter.com/ib327athletics/status/814905989673680896
https://twitter.com/Sports_Aaron/status/818647112292462593
https://twitter.com/Jkom91/status/817905120524533763
https://twitter.com/WritingIlliniFS/status/815690366376673280
https://twitter.com/Illinois_Irish/status/815323272502018049
https://twitter.com/brickies2010/status/815362376153387012
https://twitter.com/Illinois_Irish/status/815398409070899204
https://twitter.com/Illinois_Irish/status/818675766162575362

Definitely a stretch 4 that really looks like in the mold of a Peters type player. In the vid he isn't playing with anyone probably near his ability but look at the touch on the 3 pt shot. It also looks like he dribbles the ball pretty well for a guy who is 6'8" - 6'9".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzBvlGdS4hE