Shocks get another 2012 commitment

[RoyalShock]

6-8 215 PF Cleanthony Early from Sullivan (NY) juco.

He was the juco DIII (yes, that's D3) national POY as a freshman. Picked WSU over Washington State and San Diego State. Was considering taking visits to Marquette and PItt. Baylor and Alabama were trying to get involved late.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLqUwLr40jc

[valleychamp]

ok, seriously what is up with all these JUCO's? Is WSU not even looking at HS kids anymore? Sure seems like every recruiting announcement wsu makes is about some juco kid.

[Shockerfan13]

6-8 215 PF Cleanthony Early from Sullivan (NY) juco.

He was the juco DIII (yes, that's D3) national POY as a freshman. Picked WSU over Washington State and San Diego State. Was considering taking visits to Marquette and PItt. Baylor and Alabama were trying to get involved late.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLqUwLr40jc

Report on Cleanthony at the Mullen's top 100:

"Cleanthony Early (Sullivan CC) proved that he didn’t have any problems playing against the best JUCO players in the country. Early’s length and athleticism gave defenders fits. He is extremely skilled for his size, 6’8, can defend multiple positions and excels in transition. Early has excellent body control when attacking the rim and pounds the offensive glass.

Early had many division 1 junior colleges perusing him when he left Mt. Zion Academy, but he wanted to play near his home town so he chose Sullivan CC. Early was named NJCAA Division 3 Player of the Year as a freshman. Early handles the ball well and is at his best when running in transition. While he is extremely skilled on the offensive end, he may be an even better defender. His length and timing allow him to block or alter shots at will."

http://www.jucorecruiting.com/?p=732

[RoyalShock]

ok, seriously what is up with all these JUCO's? Is WSU not even looking at HS kids anymore? Sure seems like every recruiting announcement wsu makes is about some juco kid.

Our first two 2012 commits were HS/prep kids: Fred VanVleet and Henry Uwadiae.

[Shockerfan13]

ok, seriously what is up with all these JUCO's? Is WSU not even looking at HS kids anymore? Sure seems like every recruiting announcement wsu makes is about some juco kid.

Well the commitment previous to this one is for 2013. I agree there are alot of JUCO's, but if they are the best players available then why not. I think we have a decent mix of Freshmen and JUCO's. So far I believe we have 2 freshmen and 2 JUCO's for next year. We had alot of Seniors these last 2 years. I don't think Marshall wants to wait another 3-4 years for a team of all freshmen to develop if he thinks he can get a player or two from a JUCO that he feels can be an impact player to give the true freshmen time to develop.

He's a smart guy. I will give him the benefit of the doubt until it doesn't work. So far it has worked out ok.

Plus our assistants have strong ties to the JUCO circuit. So JUCO's are to be expected. They are still out trying to get highschoolers also. But like I said, you get the best players you can.

[Haha]

Actually 3 in 2012 are freshman:

Baker, FVV, Henry

This years class has 4 freshman I believe:

Cotton, White, Ede, Wessel

So really not that worried about the JUCO's.

[Aargh]

ok, seriously what is up with all these JUCO's? Is WSU not even looking at HS kids anymore? Sure seems like every recruiting announcement wsu makes is about some juco kid.

Check this article:

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110723/SPORTS/107230324
Here are a couple of excerpts:

More than a dozen NCAA Division I schools have already offered scholarships

Basketball scouts are saying Early not only is a pro prospect but also could make it as a guard in the NBA.

Early will make official visits to San Diego State, Iowa State, Washington State and Wichita State, saving a fifth visit for a potential late-comer — Texas Tech got involved on Thursday, and Alabama has joined the mix, too.

Early was the only Division III player invited to Jerry Mullen's JUCO Top 100 Camp on July 9-10 in St. Charles, Mo. More than 300 college coaches were on hand, and several recruiting services rated Early as one of the top three players.

When you can sign a player with those types of reviews and independent evaluations, you don't worry about only getting them for two years. WSU kind of got stuck going the JuCo route when Turgeon's recruiting class collapsed when he left and there were already holes in WSU's lineup. Marshall had no choice but to go JuCo just to fill out the roster. Once a school goes heavy that way, it's tough to break the cycle without taking hit for a couple of years while growing up young players who might not be ready - like Stutz as a Fr.

[Khan4Cats]

The bigger thought I had wasn't so much with the jucos but with the number of forwards. Does this indicate Marshall is not confident in landing Ellis? Or is Ellis more of a 3/2 type wing-forward?

[Haha]

The bigger thought I had wasn't so much with the jucos but with the number of forwards. Does this indicate Marshall is not confident in landing Ellis? Or is Ellis more of a 3/2 type wing-forward?

I think it's obvious, or at least to me, that WSU regardless of whatever warm fuzzies they got out of the in home visit can't be thinking he is going to choose WSU. Not saying he won't (although I highly doubt it). Nor am I saying the staff isn't giving it full effort. Just saying when you can lock up a forward like Early you do and if Perry wants in later then you make room.

Also there is this:

http://www.collegiatehoops.net/2011/09/ ... ellis.html

"But after adding two JUCO big men in Earl Watson and Cleanthony Early, many would speculate that the Shockers chances of landing the in-state talent were slim.

However, according to the Ellis family, that isn't the case.

"I don't think that's an issue at all," his mother said. "Perry is not a big for [Wichita State]. He will be a wing."

[2livewu]

Assuming he stays healthy, Early will be a big time impact player from Day 1 at WSU.

This isn't an Ehimen "I hope he gets it because if he does look out" kind of thing. This kid is the real deal.