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Texas Basketball Recruiting Notes: Shaka Edition

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winslow
winslow

what a bytch......keep playing with me i will have kj block you on all social media & have ur fucc boi azz removed from any sporting event he is featured in.........

hornfromdallas
hornfromdallas

@shadow_operative remember when you tried to say @hornfromdallas was wrong about collins texas basketball insider  once again @hornfromdallas had the real info fuccboi 

winslow
winslow

stahp it bruh   

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Bevo

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6 minutes ago, Ricky's one-hitter said:

Good one

By the time this class is any good, Shaka will be gone. He'll get the GB3 year +1, then it's back off to a cindereligible school

I think that is wishful thinking. It is hard to get rid of someone who is well liked and does half his job very well. Maybe once Covid is over and we need to fill a new stadium... Or maybe if we suck again this year.

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Goodman

Goodman 3280

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18 minutes ago, longhornmatt said:

If we fired him now, sure.  But after this season or next?  No.

This is said every time a school hires/fires a black head coach. Maybe a couple of specific recruits with whom that coach had a great relationship will say something, but it’s largely irrelevant to recruiting on a macro level.  

Charlie Strong was the worst recruiting head coach the football team had since the 1980s.  Barnes at his peak was an equal or better recruiter than Shaka.   It doesn’t matter.  Recruits go to the coach they trust most to maximize their playing careers and pro prospects, regardless of whether that coach is black, white, or a space alien. 

Shaka being our coach is not defensible, he's been awful at being at the job he was hired to do. 

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hornfromdallas

hornfromdallas 334

Posted
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33 minutes ago, longhornmatt said:

If we fired him now, sure.  But after this season or next?  No.

This is said every time a school hires/fires a black head coach. Maybe a couple of specific recruits with whom that coach had a great relationship will say something, but it’s largely irrelevant to recruiting on a macro level.  

Charlie Strong was the worst recruiting head coach the football team had since the 1980s.  Barnes at his peak was an equal or better recruiter than Shaka.   It doesn’t matter.  Recruits go to the coach they trust most to maximize their playing careers and pro prospects, regardless of whether that coach is black, white, or a space alien. 

a commit committed to texas basketball 2 months ago because he wanted to play for a black head coach 

the said every time about a black head coach holds more weight now than it ever has before 

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shadow_operative

shadow_operative 15932

Posted
Posted (edited)

no, no i don't remember that. maybe you imagined it? i do remember you coming here to tell us that you got kicked out of a group chat though (lol). i remember you constantly bragging about how your cousin is a football player (whoa, no way!). i remember you typing and behaving like one of those bad kids who was 17 years old in 8th grade. i do remember all of that.  you're a real winner hornindallas. 👍🏼 

Edited by shadow_operative
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MuellerHorn

MuellerHorn 4618

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13 minutes ago, hornfromdallas said:

texas is surging with 5* sf https://247sports.com/Player/Aminu-Mohammed-46056342/

shaka bruh elite recruiter jai leaving is not going to hurt 

That's a nice surprise. He needs to recruit a true PG though. The 2021-2022 roster and the 2021 recruiting class are lacking in that regard, as Coleman is a senior, and Jones and Ramey might potentially leave after this season.

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satyanash

satyanash 15547

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Eric Bossi: Undecided five-star Aminu Mohammed starts season with a bang

Quote

The chants weren't clear as day on the live-stream, but there was no mistaking the "Overrated, overrated," being chanted at undecided five-star Aminu Mohammed on Saturday night. The performance he delivered to help lead his Springfield (Mo.) Greenwood team back from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter to a Springfield (Mo.) Kickapoo team featuring a pair of Missouri and one Missouri State signees was anything but overrated.

After scoring 18 and 32 points in his first two games of the season the powerful 6-foot-5 shooting guard went off for 43 points to score a 74-72 win in the championship game of the Willard Basketball Classic. It was a performance that will go down as one of the top singular efforts of the 2020-21 season.

A big time athlete, Mohammed powered to the rim for big dunks. He dominated the glass, he chased down people in transition for blocks and he competed with physicality. He also knocked down deep jumpers and what was most impressive was the maturity he is finding in his game. In the past, he's been a bit of a bull in a china shop. Now, if he doesn't have something immediately available, he gets rid of the ball, he relocates and he gets open. When he can't get open, he tracks the ball and is a monster on the offensive glass for second chance opportunities.

It is a clear evolution in the game of Mohammed who ranks No. 16 overall in the industry generated 247Sports Composite.

"Probably one of his greatest attributes," said guardian Shawn Harmon of the effort Mohammed plays with. "But teaching him how to change that pace has been tough. He has improved so much in that area. Thinks he can get to that basket against anyone and is just now really learning to see second and third defender. He's a sponge learns and applies things to his game over night. Very rare!"

Of course, everybody wants to know where Mohammed will go to college. He has been to Indiana, Kansas State and Louisville unofficially and Maryland officially. Lately, a pretty consistent group of Georgia, Georgetown, Indiana and Kansas State has been emerging while others like DePaul and Texas have been looking to get more involved.

"(We) like the list very historical programs," Harmon told 247Sports. "Indiana, Georgetown ,Texas showing interest. Georgia is very intriguing based on Tom Crean's resume with guards. Bruce Weber at Kansas State is in my opinion a very good coach and K State has great history. Think it will be a hard decision. DePaul has been very active lately."

The NCAA's extension of the recruiting dead period due to Covid hasn't made the process any easier. "Very difficult," said Harmon when asked if the dead period has an impact. "A lot of conversations with coaches and staff. Zoom meetings. I think we've controlled things well, though." Mohammed has been eyeing a winter decision for some time now. He hasn't set a date but a decision isn't likely to be too far off.

While he's committed to finishing out his senior season, the chance remains that he could choose to enroll early if Covid shuts things down. "What we want to do is have him prepared for early enrollment and if the season should for any reason be shut down have him ready to enroll with no hiccups. Ideally, completing his Senior year is the first option."

 

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Dondrysdale1

Dondrysdale1 379

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, Catdaddyhorn said:

Unless they're absolute offensive technicians in the post, post players are mostly overrated in college bball. We just need bigs who are tenacious on the boards and are proficient defenders. And unless you heard something I'm not hearing Coleman is the only ball handler we'll lose next year. 

Which is why he stated they will be heavy on swing men. Coleman is really the only true point on the roster.

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texifornia

texifornia 59008

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https://247sports.com/college/texas/Article/Five-star-shooting-guard-Keyonte-George-updates-recruitment-Arizona-Baylor-Kansas-Kentucky-Texas-Texas-Tech-159644028/

Quote

Texas: “(Shaka Smart) can be kind of laid back sometimes, but he can also get on you. At the end of the day I know that he is going to care about you. No matter if you are on the floor or off the floor he is going to hold you accountable at all times.”

https://247sports.com/Player/Keyonte-George-46059226/

It feels like half of high-major basketball recruits go to completely made-up high schools.

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Bevo14

Bevo14 8468

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3 hours ago, texifornia said:

https://247sports.com/college/texas/Article/Five-star-shooting-guard-Keyonte-George-updates-recruitment-Arizona-Baylor-Kansas-Kentucky-Texas-Texas-Tech-159644028/

https://247sports.com/Player/Keyonte-George-46059226/

It feels like half of high-major basketball recruits go to completely made-up high schools.

It's the iPhone of high schools.

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Hornlover

Hornlover 8932

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On 1/21/2021 at 1:31 PM, texifornia said:

https://247sports.com/college/texas/Article/Five-star-shooting-guard-Keyonte-George-updates-recruitment-Arizona-Baylor-Kansas-Kentucky-Texas-Texas-Tech-159644028/

https://247sports.com/Player/Keyonte-George-46059226/

It feels like half of high-major basketball recruits go to completely made-up high schools.

iSchool vs Oak Hill was on ESPN last week. Game went 2OT.

Keyonte George looked good, but MJ Rice looked like the best player on the floor.

Game is available on ESPN+ if you're a sadist. https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/3696097

And, yes, iSchool is a made-up school.

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Hornlover

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Some notes on recruits from the NIBC invitational here:

https://www.si.com/college/recruiting/basketball/st-james-invitational-observations-jalen-duren-caleb-houstan-mj-rice-si99

Spoiler

After 10 days of high-level basketball at the St. James NIBC Invitational there were many takeaways and revelations. From consistent dominance to underrated players entrenching themselves firmly on the radar, multiple players stepped up and made their case for upward mobility in their respective classes.

Here are some of the players who caught our attention.

RELATED: SI99 2021 Basketball Rankings

Gradey Dick, Sunrise Christian (Bel Aire, Kan.), SF, 2022

College: Undecided

Why He Stood Out: Dick plays with great poise and calculation on the offensive end. He’s got great size and a high basketball IQ, which enables him to impact the game in multiple ways, some of which don’t show up on the stat sheet. Dick led Buffaloes past Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.), posting 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals in the 73-58 win.

Kennedy Chandler, Sunrise Christian (Bel Aire, Kan.), PG, 2021

College: Tennessee

Why He Stood Out: Chandler capped off his dominant showing at the event with a 26-point outing in a win against No. 2 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) on Monday. Chandler continues his firm grip on the top point guard spot in the SI99 with consistent dominant showings against the country’s top teams. His ability to score at all three levels, ignite the offense and make his teammates better is second to none.

Langston Love, Montverde (Fla.) Academy, SG, 2021

College: Baylor

 

Why He Stood Out: Love keeps constant pressure on the defense with his ability to drive into the lane and finish through contact. Love, who is ranked No. 20 overall in the SI99, posted 20 points in a blowout 93-60 win over Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.). He maximizes his impact on a loaded roster, whether he’s rebounding in abundance or defending.

MJ Rice, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), SG, 2022

College: Undecided

Why He Stood Out: Rice capped off his dominant run at the event posting 28 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a double overtime win over iSchool (Texas). Despite not being at 100 percent coming off an ACL tear less than a year ago, Rice displayed the perfect blend of his trademark brute strength, crafty maneuvering to the basket, efficient perimeter shooting and playmaking ability. His dominance is more impressive when you consider that he has to guard the opposing team’s center most nights since the Warriors don’t have a true post presence in their main rotation.

Keyonte George, iSchool (Texas), SG, 2022

College: Undecided

 

Why He Stood Out: George has a killer mentality on the offensive end and a diverse skill set, which makes him tough to stop. In a loss to Oak Hill Academy, George posted 27 points, five rebounds, three assists, five steals and three blocks. His motor remains in overdrive and he plays with a competitive chip that’s infectious with his teammates.

Ryan Nembhard, Montverde (Fla.) Academy, PG, 2021

College: Creighton

Why He Stood Out: Nembhard’s game has grown leaps and bounds in the past year, evident of his play at the NIBC Invitational. He played a masterful floor game all week, running the show for the most talented team in the country. He picked his spots well, kept pressure on the defense by pushing the pace and kept his teammates engaged with his passing ability.

Jayden Epps, Blue Magic (Va.), CG, 2022

College: Undecided

Why He Stood Out: Epps continues to prove that he’s in the upper echelon of prospects in the 2022 class, picking up where he left off last summer and fall with a dominant performance at the NIBC Invitational. Epps scored 27 points in a loss to St. Frances (Md.). Epps’ ability to score in bunches and his ability to shred a defense with his playmaking ability is exceptional. It’s time to start talking about Epps as one of the top guards in the 2022 class. Now.

Jalen Duren, Montverde (Fla.) Academy, F, 2022

College: Undecided

Why He Stood Out: There’s little you can do to stop a player with Duren’s size (6-foot-10, 220 pounds) and abilities. From back-to-the-basket to face-up to passing to rebounding to efficient shooting from the mid-range, Duren displayed the full arsenal at the NIBC Invitational. He capped off his dominant run with a 15-point, 12-rebound, five-assist outing in a win over Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah).

 

Caleb Houstan, Montverde (Fla.) Academy, SG, 2021

College: Michigan

Why He Stood Out: Houstan is a master of pace and never gets sped up on the offensive end. He’s patient and calculated with his movements, which makes him effective and efficient. Houstan, who is ranked No. 12 overall in the SI99, scored 16 points on just six shot attempts in the Eagles’ 55-51 win over IMG Academy.

Julian Reese, St. Frances (Baltimore, Md.), F, 2021

College: Maryland

Why He Stood Out: Reese’s versatility was on full display at the NIBC Invitational, averaging 24 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks a game. Reese, who is ranked No. 75 overall in the SI99, continues to make a strong case for his upward trajectory in the class. 

 

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Machinator

Machinator 32103

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(Nick Harris) Hardwood Nuggets: Checking in on 2021 signees, targets and 2022 class rumblings20VIP

Spoiler

2021 SIGNEES HAVING BIG SENIOR SEASONS

Tamar Bates, Shooting Guard, IMG Academy (Fla.)

Composite Ranking: No. 56

The highest ranked prospect in the current 2021 class, Tamar Bates is in his first and only season at IMG Academy after transferring in from Kansas City (Kan.) Piper before the season.

Bates has seen starting action at the two-guard spot for one of the top basketball teams in the country and has seen success. While there are no official stats for IMG yet this season, Bates has routinely led the Ascenders in scoring in big national matchups. His spot-up three ability has only gotten better as he has put himself in the conversation as a top-tier shooter in the entire country.

Bates is starting to emerge as a contender for considerable playing time in his freshman season at Texas with a few guard spots expected to come open.

Emarion Ellis, Combo Guard, Davenport (Iowa) Assumption

Composite Ranking: No. 105

One of the best steals in the country when Shaka Smart found him, Emarion Ellis has shot up the rankings since committing to Texas. In shortened playing time in his senior season due to injury, Ellis has flashed his finishing skills and playmaking ability.

In eight games this season, Ellis is averaging 19.6 points per game, 7.0 rebounds per game, 5.0 assists per game, 2.3 steals per game, 1.1 blocks per game and is shooting 80% from the free throw line. His Knights team is 7-1 in those eight games.

Ellis has been out since Jan. 8 with an undisclosed injury but is expected to return this Friday for the first of two final regular season games.

David Joplin, Power Forward, Brookfield (Wis.) Central

Composite Ranking: No. 114

David Joplin is another stock buy from Shaka Smart at the time of his commitment as the 6-foot-7, 215 pound power forward has ascended to four-star status. His senior season has him in position to rise even higher with stats like 24.4 points per game, 10.6 rebounds per game and 1.4 blocks per game.

Joplin is a bruiser down low with his athleticism, but can also stretch the floor from the mid-range and three-point line. On the year, he is averaging 1.7 three-pointers made per game. Brookfield Central is 14-5 on the year and will wrap up their regular season on Thursday night.

Keeyan Itejere, Power Forward, Raleigh (N.C.) Grace Christian School

Composite Ranking: No. 156

The lone three-star in the 2021 signing class and the longest commit in the class, Keeyan Itejere has put up solid role player numbers for Grace Christian in his senior season. Shaka Smart identified Itejere early on as a player that serves his role at an elite level and saw enough potential to extend an offer which was followed with a commitment soon after.

In 12 games, Itejere is averaging 9.3 points per game, 6.3 rebounds per game (team high), 1.7 steals per game (team high) and 1.3 blocks per game (team high).

 

COULD TEXAS ADD ANOTHER SIGNEE TO THE 2021 CLASS?

Playing alongside Tamar Bates at the IMG Academy, four-star center Charles Bediako has seen his recruitment get a whole lot tighter after Alabama was the presumed runaway favorite ahead of the November signing period.

When Alabama couldn't secure his signature in November, the door became open for other teams to come in, and sources tell 247Sports that Texas, Ohio State and Michigan are all heavily in the mix alongside the Crimson Tide. Bediako was aiming to shut down his recruitment in January but sources say that he has been super torn in recent weeks between his top four options. Neither of the four schools have a center commit in the 2021 class and he plays alongside a signee to two of his four options at IMG Academy (five-star power forward Moussa Diabate is signed to Michigan).

Drawing Texas into the picture is Shaka Smart's ability to develop athletic big men like Bediako as well as the approachability of the entire coaching staff. Bediako is also being sold on the fact that he will get early playing time with a pure post role on offense. With a decision expected at any moment, this recruitment will be one that will be super tight down the stretch. While I still consider Alabama the leader at this point, I'm not nearly confident enough to enter a Crystal Ball. Texas has as good a shot as any of the four schools in this one down the stretch.

Blairstown (N.J.) Blair Academy four-star point guard Jaylen Blakes has also emerged as a possibility in the 2021 class as Texas has remained in steady contact with him since offering last May.

Blakes caught up with 247Sports' Travis Branham recently and mentioned Texas as one of the five schools recruiting him the hardest as well as DePaul, Illinois, VCU and Yale.

"Coach Smart has emphasized the importance of connecting and building relationships," Blakes told 247Sports. "They see me as an impact player on both ends of the floor that fits into their culture of relationships, growth and victory."

Texas has not signed a true point guard since signing Courtney Ramey in the 2018 class. While Emarion Ellis could serve as the one-guard from this class, a Blakes commitment could help give Texas flexibility at the position with three guard signees.

Blakes will cut down a list of contenders before committing in the early spring. I like Texas' current position along with Illinois and DePaul.

2022 CLASS HEATING UP

With a talented 2022 in-state group at hand for Texas, the Longhorns have begun making considerable moves with their top targets.

- Texas has been trending in the right direction for San Antonio (Texas) Wagner four-star point guard Austin Nunez since the summer, and that continues to be the case. Nunez is taking his time with the decision process, especially with his junior season already underway. Virginia and Arkansas pose the biggest threats to Texas as he continues to build relationships with each.

Nunez has been playing with the Texas Alliance of Christian Athletes program out of Carrollton during the 2020-21 season after being ruled ineligible at Wagner for the season.

- The Texas basketball staff has also been a frequent flyer at Coppell High School this season as they have been in constant contact with 2022 four-star combo guard Anthony Black and have recently initiated contact with four-star small forward Ryan Agarwal.

Black has been one of the top targets for Shaka Smart, but with a football recruitment also in play for the dual-sport star, this one could get a little complicated. Black is still undecided on whether he will play one or the other (or both) at the next level. If he chooses to play both, I like Texas Tech's chances to give him that avenue. Black's step-brother Micah Peavy is a freshman for the Red Raiders this season. If Black chooses to play only basketball, Texas probably moves to the top of the pack as Shaka Smart and assistant coach Neill Berry have both done work in recruiting Black to Texas. His father played at Baylor, and the Bears remain in the mix.

For Agarwal, he has seen his recruitment blow up as the season has gone on. Texas has not offered, but the Longhorns have touched base with the four-star small forward in recent weeks as they begin to expand their options in the frontcourt. He holds offers from Stanford, SMU, Oklahoma State, Harvard and six more.

- Few prospects in the entire country saw a rise like Garland (Texas) four-star power forward Zuby Ejifor did in the summer after excelling on the AAU circuit. In the summer, he added six offers from Texas, TCU, Houston, Seton Hall, Virginia Tech and Western Kentucky after impressive outings against stiff competition.

I caught up with Ejiofor on Tuesday night after Garland's win over Wylie and he spoke highly of Shaka Smart and his recruiting approach. Ejiofor has been pitched on a Kai Jones type role with the Longhorns and is intrigued by the idea. He said he looks forward to getting to Austin for a visit when able.

Houston, Baylor (if they offer) and TCU will all be contenders in this race but his long-standing relationship with Texas could go a long way in securing a commitment. Ejiofor plans to decide at the start of his senior year.

- Other guard targets in the 2022 class include Richardson five-star combo guard Cason Wallace, Lewisville iSchool five-star shooting guard Keyonte George and Fort Bend Hightower five-star point guard Bryce Griggs.

For Wallace, Texas has yet to make a case as a contender in his recruitment as Arkansas, Kentucky and Baylor continue to be the frontrunners. Former Texas assistant Jai Lucas was Wallace's main recruiter but took that momentum with him to Lexington when he accepted a job on Kentucky's staff.

On the other hand, George continues to delve into a wide-open recruitment with little separation between the schools that remain in contact. His relationship with Shaka Smart has kept Texas in the conversation, but a G-League offer could throw a wrench in the possibility of college ball.

Texas continues to move in a good direction for Bryce Griggs as he stays in touch with Shaka Smart and assistant coach KT Turner routinely. One of the best scorers in the country, schools have to pitch Griggs on the basis of giving him the keys to their offense. Schools that have intrigued him so far include Texas, Memphis, Baylor, Houston and Kansas. He caught up with 247Sports' Brandon Jenkins recently to discuss his recruitment.

QUICK HITTERS
- Baylor has separated themselves in the race for La Lumiere (Ind.) five-star center Vince Iwuchukwu as the former San Antonio Cole product continues to rise in the rankings. I have entered a Crystal Ball in favor of the Bears.

- With the center options becoming more scarce in-state for Texas, the Longhorns have put themselves in a good position with Chattanooga (Tenn.) Hamilton Heights four-star center Felix Okpara.

- Since re-opening his recruitment, four-star point guard Arterio Morris has keyed in on Texas Tech while keeping Memphis in the picture despite decommitting from the Tigers. The G-League option will also be something to keep an eye on.

 

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