Recruiting: 2018

vufan75 · January 17, 2016, 10:43:33 AM

Thanks.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

wh · January 17, 2016, 11:06:20 AM

Former NBA star LaPhonso Ellis passing on lessons to travel team

http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/high-school/2015/07/10/former-nba-star-laphonso-ellis-passing-lessons-travel-team/29978993/

talksalot · January 17, 2016, 08:16:57 PM

~~Name Drop Warning~~

Nice to chat with LaPhonso after the game... Homer was taking him around. His handshake is something else! He's been to the ARC several times as color commentator since the Miracle Game in 1988...

VU2014 · July 24, 2016, 07:09:47 PM

2018 Recruit:

Looks like he's one of the potential top recruits in Illinois.

https://twitter.com/Coachmcmurray/status/757289205336645632

https://twitter.com/scottybscout/status/756935951004213248

https://twitter.com/scottybscout/status/756953686102847488

"Kevin Caldwell 5-10 PG Alton/SW Jets – Exciting player to watch lil fella, got mad squabbles, he's a clever play-maker who can score & dish, he's actually a pretty good outside shooter. Plays with more maturity and experience than some of the other point-guards in the class."
http://illinois-spotlite.blogspot.com/2015/08/top-2018-prospects.html

"Kevin Caldwell 5-10 PG Alton – ""Lil fellow got mad squabbles, he's clever and entertaining, has perimeter shooting to go with a strong floor game." Currently a stellar football player."
http://illinois-spotlite.blogspot.com/2015/09/top-20-2018-prospects.html

"Kevin Caldwell 5-11 PG Alton
Widely considered one of our state's top gifted athletes. "Big time football player." Kevin is a special athlete in hoops as well, he's lightening quick and capable of jumping over the top of opponents. Shrewd general, has struggled shooting from the field thus far. Plays on a talented team. NFL could be in his future."
http://illinois-spotlite.blogspot.com/2016/02/top-back-court-players-in-2018-class.html

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/6846466/kevin-caldwell-jr

vufan75 · September 24, 2016, 08:59:41 PM

2018 offer reported per Trevor Andershock of INBballsource.

2018 Terre Haute South (IN) G Deavion Washington received an offer from Valparaiso. (HT @g3risingstars) @deman3320 https://t.co/GPJCv3b8Zp

wh · September 27, 2016, 02:25:15 AM

https://www.twitter.com/deman3320/status/779764681363849216

bbtds · September 29, 2016, 05:19:19 AM

In case you want to follow Terre Haute South (also known as South Vigo-because Terre Haute is in Vigo County) here is a website that reports on many of the Braves sports teams.

THSHS is in a conference with many Indy schools.

http://thsouthsports.com/boys_basketball

Terre Haute South dropped the Regional Championship game 74-44 against Southport. DeAvion Washington had 10 points to lead South. South shot 11-45 as a team.
South concluded the season 22-7.

Terre Haute South defeated Danville, IL 64-62 to close out the 2015-2016 regular season. Jesse Brown and DeAvion Washington had 17 points to lead South, while Chase Mahurin added 11.
South opens Sectional play Tuesday at Terre Haute North against Mooresville (Matt Kenney's HS) at 6pm.

covufan · December 12, 2016, 10:30:28 AM

Quote from: M on December 11, 2016, 06:47:23 PM
Saw Walter Ellis was offered by Cal. He'd be a nice get for Coach Lottich.

We first offered Walter Ellis in August of 2015. A year later IUPUI offered, then Indiana St. in Sept, and Ball St. in November and now Cal. Would be a good signing for Valpo!

M · January 07, 2017, 11:00:48 PM

Walter Ellis has been a scoring machine this year. Please come to Valpo, we are going to need some offense.

VU2014 · January 07, 2017, 11:40:46 PM

QuoteWalter Ellis has been a scoring machine this year. Please come to Valpo, we are going to need some offense.

I second M! We will also need his athleticism. I've heard he's been lighting it up. His Dad played in the NBA. Our athletic wings: Tevonn, Max, Shane will all have graduated. Micah is quick and has surprising hops but needs a good summer hitting the weights.

I've heard Bakari is pretty athletic. Parker Hazen is a pretty athletic forward. Mileek I haven't seen enough to judge his athleticism, and apparently he is still adjusting to his new height.

valpotx · January 08, 2017, 06:31:10 PM

Who is Walter Ellis' father? Is it Dale Ellis? He was one of my favorite players to watch when I was still a Denver Nuggets fan, before adopting the losing Dallas Mavericks franchise a few years after our move in the mid-90's.

M · January 08, 2017, 06:35:37 PM

LaPhonso Ellis

VU2014 · January 25, 2017, 03:29:48 PM

M · January 25, 2017, 08:07:11 PM

These guys look pretty skinny. Hit the weight room the next few years so we don't have another rail thin guard getting banged around.

FieldGoodie05 · January 25, 2017, 09:38:35 PM

Quote from: M on January 25, 2017, 08:07:11 PM
These guys look pretty skinny. Hit the weight room the next few years so we don't have another rail thin guard getting banged around.

When's the last time we had (5) scholarships open in 1-year? Appears we have (2) signed with (3) open for 2017.

Think we use all (5) for 2017? Predictions?

FieldGoodie05 · January 25, 2017, 09:44:00 PM

Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on January 25, 2017, 09:38:35 PM
Quote from: M on January 25, 2017, 08:07:11 PM
These guys look pretty skinny. Hit the weight room the next few years so we don't have another rail thin guard getting banged around.

When's the last time we had (5) scholarships open in 1-year? Appears we have (2) signed with (3) open for 2017.

Think we use all (5) for 2017? Predictions?

Now that I've had a good laugh at my own expense...when outside of last year!?!? 🤔

a3uge · January 25, 2017, 10:36:16 PM

Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on January 25, 2017, 09:38:35 PM
Quote from: M on January 25, 2017, 08:07:11 PM
These guys look pretty skinny. Hit the weight room the next few years so we don't have another rail thin guard getting banged around.

When's the last time we had (5) scholarships open in 1-year? Appears we have (2) signed with (3) open for 2017.

Think we use all (5) for 2017? Predictions?

Last year Skara, Vashil, Nickerson, Carter left.
In came the two freshman Sorrola and Bradford. Transfers Joe Burton and Bakari Evelyn were added.

After this year we have Davidson, Hammink, Jubril, and Peters leaving. Parker Hazen and Mileek McMillan signed ... So 2 scholarships open, or am I missing something?

Edit - forgot about Darien Walker - that must have been filled by Middleton, who's scholarship is open now.

covufan · January 26, 2017, 09:25:33 AM

Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on January 25, 2017, 09:38:35 PMThink we use all (5) for 2017? Predictions?

The hope is that Sasha Stefanovic is unable to get an offer from Purdue, and inks this spring. If not, we'll probably see a JUCO SG, a traditional transfer (sit out one year) and a graduate transfer at the PF position.

This is just a guess.

wh · January 26, 2017, 09:48:31 AM

Quote from: covufan on January 26, 2017, 09:25:33 AM
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on January 25, 2017, 09:38:35 PMThink we use all (5) for 2017? Predictions?
The hope is that Sasha Stefanovic is unable to get an offer from Purdue, and inks this spring.

Better yet, let's hope he gets a Purdue offer, and turns it down in favor of Valpo. Alec continued to pile up offers after he was offered by Valpo (including late offers from D-1 Majors), and still chose Valpo. There has to be something validating to be able to tell your friends and classmates that you could have gone to a Big 10 school (especially an in-state school that a lot of NWI people slobber over), but chose not to.

VU2014 · January 26, 2017, 10:11:46 AM

QuoteWhen's the last time we had (5) scholarships open in 1-year? Appears we have (2) signed with (3) open for 2017.

Think we use all (5) for 2017? Predictions?

I feel like a lot of the eggs are in the Sasha Stefanovic basket. He is a huge priority for the program right now. Taylor Bruninga is also a strong possibility.

I think the coaching staff will look at the transfers available for next offseason. Valpo has a successful history of developing transfers who needed an opportunity and Shane and LaVonte are to really good examples.

I still think there is a decent chance that Kizer is going to get one of the open scholarships. Just from the small minutes I've seen so far I'm not sure I'd burn a scholarship on Kizer. I know people have made some comparisons to Matt Kenney but Kizer isn't as athletic or quick as Kenney was. We really haven't seen enough to fully evaluate as fans imo.

Also keep in mind we could go into next season and carry an open scholarship to try and land guys who transfer midseason. The Australian SMU transfer Tom Wilson chose Boise State over Valpo was because Boise State had an open scholarship so he could enroll in the spring semester. Unfortunately when John Middleton transferred and the NCAA doesn't allow that scholarship to be freed up till next fall.

VU2014 · January 26, 2017, 10:28:08 AM

QuoteBetter yet, let's hope he gets a Purdue offer, and turns it down in favor of Valpo. Alec continued to pile up offers after he was offered by Valpo (including late offers from D-1 Majors), and still chose Valpo. There has to be something validating to be able to tell your friends and classmates that you could have gone to a Big 10 school (especially an in-state school that a lot of NWI people slobber over), but chose not to.

I don't want to be a downer but I don't think thats going to happen. His parents are John Purdue Club Members which is a boosters club for Purdue Athletics. My co-workers kids go to Crown Point and he said it's not a well kept secret that he wants an offer from Purdue. I'm not sure if Purdue will offer, but Coach Painter has definitely scouted Sasha. He was just at one of Crown Points games last week I believe.

I feel like many players love the cache of saying you play for a Big Ten school but I think getting the opportunity of playing as a freshman and getting the in game development when you are younger is better then riding the bench on a Big Ten squad. I think you can make the case that Alec, Rowdy, Tevonn, others have benefited from getting playing time as a freshman and sophomore, and that served them well in their development and became better players from the experience they gained.

wh · January 26, 2017, 11:27:49 AM

Quote from: VU2014 on January 26, 2017, 10:28:08 AM
QuoteBetter yet, let's hope he gets a Purdue offer, and turns it down in favor of Valpo. Alec continued to pile up offers after he was offered by Valpo (including late offers from D-1 Majors), and still chose Valpo. There has to be something validating to be able to tell your friends and classmates that you could have gone to a Big 10 school (especially an in-state school that a lot of NWI people slobber over), but chose not to.

I don't want to be a downer but I don't think thats going to happen. His parents are John Purdue Club Members which is a boosters club for Purdue Athletics. My co-workers kids go to Crown Point and he said it's not a well kept secret that he wants an offer from Purdue. I'm not sure if Purdue will offer, but Coach Painter has definitely scouted Sasha. He was just at one of Crown Points games last week I believe.

I feel like many players love the cache of saying you play for a Big Ten school but I think getting the opportunity of playing as a freshman and getting the in game development when you are younger is better then riding the bench on a Big Ten squad. I think you can make the case that Alec, Rowdy, Tevonn, others have benefited from getting playing time as a freshman and sophomore, and that served them well in their development and became better players from the experience they gained.

You're kind of helping make my point. You are describing what may well have been Alec's rationale. He waited until he got the "big" offers, but opted in the end for a top mid-major program where he knew he would start and contribute from minute-1. In the process he pacified the masses of shallow thought that think if you don't get an offer from a "big-time" program, you are a 2nd class talent. Sasha may in fact be doing the same thing, despite Mom and Dad's apparent affection for Purdue. Go through the motions, get an offer, pacify Mom and Dad, please the shallow friends, then pull the trigger on Valpo. It doesn't take a rocket scientist's IQ to know that if you haven't been offered by this time, you're a fallback to preferred candidates that they've already offered and hope will accept so they don't have to settle for you.

VU2014 · January 26, 2017, 01:02:17 PM

wh, agreed. Not sure recruits look at the big picture sometimes. Hope he sees the benefit. Opportunity to play at one of the best Mid-major programs in the nation in your backyard in front of family/friends/NWI community, great education, great coaches, opportunity to play/contribute from the get go and to accelerate his development.

VU2014 · February 03, 2017, 02:51:42 PM

Not sure how serious the interest is but I've heard the coaching staff has checked out St. Charles East (IL) 2018 SG/SF Justin Hardy a few times this season. Could be a target for 2018. He even visited this summer. Thought I'd share now that Sasha is out of the picture.

https://twitter.com/scottybscout/status/760134832890507264

ValpoDad89 · February 04, 2017, 02:36:51 AM

WH, great point. But reading VU2014's second sentence between the lines, these are 18-19 yr old kids and we know they don't always make the best choices. They sometimes go for the shiny thing in front or they have been coddled by coaches and parents who make them think they're better than they are and think they'll start in no time for the bigger program and end up being a 4 year bench / role player or getting frustrated and transferring after a couple of years.