The Big East Basketball Report Blog is an invaluable for keeping track of everything Big East. I probably don’t give it nearly the credit, props and attention it deserves. All of the following links came via the BEBR.
Nasir Robinson committed to Pitt seemingly forever, so despite being a top recruit, there has been very little talk about him. Well, Robinson will be taking part in the Kobe Bryant Skill Academy. The week before he was at the NBPA Camp.
Nasir Robinson 6-foot-6 WF Chester, PA is another of those steady, solid every game performers. This aggressive wing man scored 15 points in nightcap as he finished with strength at the rim or popped 15-footer on the move.
In New Jersey there was the Hoop Group High School Basketball Championship at Seton Hall University this past weekend. CAA Insider was there and had thoughts on certain players from many of the teams. This includes Pitt commit Travon Woodall from St. Anthony’s.
Travon had his perimeter game working throughout. He buried three pointer after three pointer. He was also effective at getting into the lane and scoring off the dribble. He’s very smooth with the ball in his hands and thus a real treat to watch.
Woodall was the Tournament’s MVP as his team, St. Anthony surprisingly won the tournament. He was on-board with Pitt recruiting Ashton Gibbs.
The two have played together in various All-Star games and with the Playaz Basketball Club.
“They called me three weeks before he committed and asked me what I thought about them recruiting Ashton Gibbs,” Woodall said. “Me and him have a great relationship. We have chemistry. The only thing that would have been more perfect would have been if they signed Mike Rosario.
“(Gibbs) is a shooter. He’s not going to come over and play the point guard position. He’s going to be more of a two guard. I think it’s a good fit for me.”
Right now Robinson and Gibbs look like they will be defense first players. Gibbs, was asked about his team’s chances in his senior year.
“As long as we play good, solid defense, we should be in good shape,” he said. “We’ll have to hold teams down and create some of our offense with defense.”
Adjectives expected to be used to describe the kids in the 2008 recruiting class when playing for Pitt: gritty, hard-nosed, blue-collar and tough.
Wanamaker looks pretty good, especially cutting to the basket. Seems to shoot jump shots alright too (not like Ramon, but pretty good). I think he’ll be playing this year…
Need someone big and slow and akward to clog up the middle? Got him too, his name’s Gary McGhee. He reminds me of Gray the first time I saw him (slow, uncoordinated, misses baskets to get his own rebound) except he is smaller – he needs to put on some muscle. Tall, not fat like Gray, has a frame for muscle, just not enough muscle. And he needs a lot of work skillwise. Definitely a project. And by the end of the game he was dragging up and down the floor – meanwhile, wanamaker was taking it to the rim and dunking on one of the last plays – still going at full speed. Also, McGhee tried dunking on a fast break (!) and was already on the descent by the time the rim blocked his dunk – he must have been watching Gray last year. He literally drove with the ball from about the 3 point line to the rim. Too bad he ran out of gas at the end there. Although he did have one huge put back slam – i’m pretty sure he can jump higher than Gray.
Ramon looks the same – although against this competition he looks like Michael Jordan being able to pull up and shoot, he has to be shooting over 50% from what i’ve seen. Although he did get the ball stripped bringing it up the floor – still not the best at the point.
Levance is the same, although much funnier and louder than i knew. He probably talks the most of anyone there.
Cook is the same. When he gets a chance to cut to the basket he finishes well. When the D lays back he chucks up a horrible 3 that is off the mark 90% of the time. If he’s going to insist on shooting that goddamn shot, why can’t he spend the entire summer behind a 3 point line practicing it? FCS there’s a reason they give you that shot.
Blair hasn’t been there. Sam Young is a no show. I don’t know what Wallace, Brown, Dodson, or Diggs look like or if they’re there.
Keith Benjamin looks the same. Sometimes he looks fine and other times you’re wondering what the hell he’s doing taking some terrible shots – especially when he’s trying to take it one on one against Cook or another Pitt player.
That is all.
