Gonzaga's recruiting is starting to get "big"
As July comes to a close, countless recruits, scouts, coaches, and writers can breathe a huge sigh of relief and relax for a moment. For the past month (and for many well over that) high school prospects around the country have been traveling all over the United States hoping to attract the attention of college coaches. With the AAU schedule nearly complete and the new school year just around the corner, we have come to a very major point in Gonzaga's recruiting.
We haven't beat around the bush here about how special the 2011 class could be. The best part about the class is that it seems to be looking more promising as the weeks progress. It was about a year ago we posted this article about our hopes for the 2011 class. I would say that any Gonzaga fan has to feel pretty good about where we are in terms of that plan. Gary Bell has already verbally committed to Mark Few and the Zags and Kyle Wiltjer is still well in sight. Not only that, but Gonzaga has also secured the commitment of Kyle Dranginis, a promising 6'5'' guard with great range. Recently, however, two new names have popped up and one familiar name continues to gain steam as we get closer and closer to the time of official visits. Here is a look at how the 2011 recruiting class is shaping up.
The Prize: Kyle Wiltjer. You could make the argument that no player this summer has blown up more than Kyle Wiltjer. The 6'9'' power forward has been drawing rave reviews at every tournament this summer and has really debunked the common knock that he is way more comfortable on the perimeter. Wiltjer has been compared to Keith Van Horn, Kevin McHale, and other versatile bigs from years past. His ability to adapt to any type of defense and match up makes him easily one of the top high school players in the world right now. His versatility makes him a very nice fit into Gonzaga's up and down tempo because he can play so well in transition. He can trail a play and knock down the outside three or he can catch the ball in transition and take it to the rim. He's a complete offensive player. Wiltjer has been quoted as saying he will decide his final schools after the AAU slate and take all five official visits. I'd be stunned if Gonzaga didn't make the initial cut but look out for programs like Cal, Kansas, the Oregons, and Kentucky who are all hot after Wiltjer as well.
continue reading for more on Gonzaga's current target list...
23 comments | 1 recs |
Wiltjer not narrowing down schools
Good article talking about Wiltjer's looooooooong list of schools, when he will make a decision and how all these schools are "all equal"
In addition he goes on to state his decision will be based on who that school brings in for players, the coaching staff and the style of play.
You do have to wonder how he will fair under the basket agaist big men at the D-1 level. As this article points out, he has been playing on the best AAU team that is loaded with talented Perimiter players. This is allowing him to take guys on one on one.
Still think his style of play and GU program would mesh well. IMO
Three take it to the next level
Every year during the Las Vegas AAU circuit, there are always a few players that take their game to another level. 6-8 C Erik Copes (Philadelphia/Imhotep Charter), 6-7 SF Antwan Space (DeSoto, Texas/DeSoto) and 6-5 PG Kyle Dranginis (Nampa, Idaho/Skyview) took advantage of their opportunities.
Copes, who is committed to George Washington, is a relentless competitor who rebounds in traffic and block shots at a high rate. Due to his play and effort, he should be a member of the ESPNU Top 100 by the time the new rankings come out. Space is a hybrid 3-man who can score inside and out, including a smooth 3-point shot. Dranginis may be the best kept secret out West. The rangy combo-guard doesn't have great quickness, but he has tremendous savvy as well as a feathery touch out to 23 feet.
Surprise player
Antwan Space (DeSoto, Texas/DeSoto)
2011, SF, 6-7, 180 pounds | AAU Team: Urban DFW Elite-17s
Space is a prototypical wing who can do a little bit of everything on the court. He has a long, lean frame that oozes potential and a feathery touch from the outside. His stroke is effortless out to 22 feet, but it's not as consistent when he has to shoot it off the bounce because he has a tendency to drift. In addition to his shooting, he even posted up and dropped in a nice-looking jump hook. After dropping 24 points in the first half, the defense clamped down and he struggled to get good looks. He needs to learn to move without the ball, continue to hone his perimeter skills, and most importantly play with a sense of urgency all the time. He has Gonzaga, Maryland, Texas A&M, and FIU tracking his talents.
Antwan Space, SF, Urban DFW: If live bodied small forwards float your boat, this kid fits the bill. Now, we aren’t ready to put him in the Branden Dawson category but as an offensive rebounder, he’s excellent at his craft. Space got to the line because of his hard work. He’s a contender for our Top 100.
Antwan Space rattled off Maryland, Gonzaga, FIU, Houston, Oregon, Marquette and Texas A&M. He said Gonzaga was coming with the most intensity
Gary Bell, 6-1 SG/PG Kent (Wash.) Kentridge. Bell showed off his versatile game Thursday, as he knocked down jump shots, defended very well and set up teammates for easy scores. He’s got a good, strong frame and a terrific feel for the game. His Seattle Rotary teammate Tony Wroten has received more early hype in his career, but it’s no not close between the two now, as Bell is clearly the superior player and prospect
Huge, huge praise from Greg Hicks of Scout.com
Words can't really express how excited I am for GBJ to arrive on campus in 2011.
Open Thread: How will team chemistry be affected by departures?
I have been thinking a lot about next season over the past few days and one of the things I woke up thinking about this morning was Gonzaga's overall team chemistry for next season. Looking at this list of players that are no longer with the team, it is easy to see that we might see a very different team in 2010-11:
Matt Bouldin (Four years in the program)
Will Foster (Four)
Andy Poling (One-and-a-half...ish)
Grant Gibbs (Two)
GJ Vilarino (One)
Bol Kong (One)
Regardless of how many minutes each player has logged, there is no doubt that losing this many guys affects how a team will function on and off the court.
My question to all of you is A) How much of an effect do you think these losses will have and B) Who, in your mind, will step up and be this team's leader? Is it the most talented guy in Elias Harris, is it the most seasoned guy in Steven Gray or is it guys like Meech and Rob who seem to be the most vocal and energetic on the court.
The thread is completely open for discussion and I look forward to hearing some quality views as I think this could be a major issue to watch as we move towards the start of the 2010-11 season.
Rotation looks strong heading into 2010-2011
While there has been a little bit of shock among the Gonzaga fanbase since news of Bol Kong's departure began to emerge, the reality of the situation is that his departure will likely not have any impact on the upcoming season. In fact, the loss of Kong might even make establishing a nine-man rotation very easy for the coaching staff, with versatility and athleticism being the identity of the upcoming season.
Before I continue on with dissecting the rotation for next season, I just want to throw in my quick two cents about the departure of Kong. As anyone who has been a part of Gonzaga University, or even a fan of the school knows, being an athlete at the schools bears great responsibility. While losing a guy with the potential of Kong is difficult to stomach at this point, especially with the hype that surrounded his arrival, the Gonzaga program is much stronger and bigger than any of its individuals. Like Zach said before, I would like to wish Bol the best of luck with any of his future endeavors, and hopefully he finds a situation that is a better fit, both on and off the court.






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