Connect with your Facebook Account

• Contact

Basketball Articles

7

Quick Scouting Report on Texas Basketball Newcomers

Posted by Trips Right on October 11th, 2008 under Basketball, Recruiting

I know it’s football, football, football the week of ou, but with the recent commit from Jordan Hamilton and his other brother Jordan Hamilton , I thought it would be a good time to get an unbiased, straight talk assessment. So naturally, I called up my AAU coaching friend to get an unwashed scouting report on Texas’ talented newcomers. For those who missed it, this cat isn’t all that enamored with Texas the school, so anything from him is pretty unvarnished.

Bradley
If Hamilton’s the glitter then Bradley’s the glue.

To set this up, I asked him to talk to coaches on the AAU circuit, his players, and college coaches he’s in contact with, and this is what he came up with.

Shawn Williams–Sharp shooting wing forward. Perhaps the best long-range shooter of the crew. However, people from Dallas and throughout the US have questioned his athletic ability. While he is able to consistently hit open 3’s and dunk the ball (but don’t expect him to posterize anyone), he has no natural ballhanding skills. No shake. Big enough to defend bigger wings but not enough lateral quickness to defend two’s. Avery Bradley will make him a better player, but once Jordan Hamilton committed to Texas, we are sure that Shawn Williams said, “Damn”. Atleast for a year.

Is Shawn an insurance policy now that Texas has gotten Jordan Hamilton?

Our assessment: Yes!

Will he have been a strong contributor without Hamilton? Yes!

Avery Bradley –2G/PG Awesome! Awesome! The best pick-up of the entire 09 class for Texas. He is the reason why Jordan Hamilton is coming to Austin. This kid can flat out score the ball from anywhere inside the arena. He has the best pull-up mid range shot in the country. Whoever recruited this kid to UT deserves a RAISE!!! AB, as we call him, will NOT disappoint any Texas fans.

Can he play the point is the question that many have.

Our assessment is: He will be able to make the transition to PG for the NBA.

Jordan Hamilton –WF/PG/2GHoly Shit Batman! Bradley and Hamilton 2Gether????? Texas will be playing on NBC, CBS, ESPN, on a weekly basis UT fans. UT fans have no idea what this young man can do on the court. A young T-Mac, but without the Major Hops. Bucket here, assist there, rebound here, playing the point for awhile there. And he is from Compton right? Keep him off of 6th street til he understands the Texas way of life. He’s a Beast Athletically. However, he can also be a BEAST emotionally.

Will Jordan be able to bring a huge national following to Texas?

Our assessment: YES!

Will Jordan be able to keep his temper under control at Texas?

Our assessment: With the great coaching staff and elite players around him, the answer is……….90% yes.

Tristan Thompson. –F Not sure what UT is doing, but, this is another amazing catch. Tristan played with grassroots Canada this past spring/summer and many people like his upside. He is not quite the phenom of AB or Jordan’s caliber, but he is a very good player that will catapult UT into the #1-5 in the US if Hamilton is one and done. And regardless of a loss or two, this team will compete for a national championship.

Will Tristan be one and done?

Our assessment: We doubt it. Unless he really develops his offensive game in his first year. Great complimentary player based on athletic ability alone.

I’ll post a bit more on how I see these studs fitting into the core group of experienced talent already on campus. The first link above has a pretty strong discussion about how the bigs’ floor time will be allocated. The second link makes fun of HenryJames and that’s a very important contribution as well.

OU sucks.

Article Tags:

, , , ,

More from this Barker


Share This

  • StumbleUpon

7 Responses

  1. HenryJames said:

    October 11th, 2008 at 4:16 am

    Whoever recruited this kid to UT deserves a RAISE!!!

    Chris Ogden, holla.

  2. Nordberg said:

    October 11th, 2008 at 5:31 pm

    This stuff is somewhat scary to me. I mean, in the back of my mind I think I still view Texas basketball through my Bob Weltlich Viewfinder.

    Barnes has taken this program to a place I didn’t think was possible, and in a year it’s going to take another step. Give him a blank check that keeps him here through 2020 and let him fill in the amount.

  3. Minnesotahorn said:

    October 12th, 2008 at 1:40 pm

    Great stuff and thanks for this Trips.

    This year’s squad almost seems an afterthought with all the talent coming in and yet if Dogus Balbay plays a strong point I think this squad has a chance at a final four.

  4. Ian Powers said:

    October 12th, 2008 at 4:26 pm

    Man u r really out to lunch if u think Shawn Williams is going to play second fiddle to Jordan Hamilton. Shawn is a better shooter, an inch taller, and this myth that he has no handle is crazy as hell. I have been watching Shawn since the eight grade, he is every bit as good as Hamilton, just doesn’t have the hype because his body still needs a little maturing, which is what Hamilton has on him right now. That’s what wight rooms are for. Hamilton is not jaw dropping athlete either.

  5. Trips Right said:

    October 14th, 2008 at 5:31 am

    Ian, seriously? You like Williams to start over Hamilton? Wow.

    Hamilton is smooth. Does it all.

  6. Texoz said:

    October 14th, 2008 at 7:06 pm

    I’ve only seen a few clips, but Hamilton reminded me a litttle of the Ice Man.

    With the 2009 class, expectations will be sky high. An NC will be the goal in 2009-10, and nothing less. However, I wouldn’t be shocked if we got one this year. We’re deep. It’ll be a team effort and will hinge on the caliber of our PG play.

    Bottom line, UT basketball is set to be Top 10 team for many years to come. Hopefully, the fan base will also rise to that level.

  7. Ian Powers said:

    November 14th, 2008 at 10:42 pm

    Hey trips right. I know a little more about what Barnes intentions are. Let’s just say i’m well connected. Neither one of them is going to start over the other. Branes wants to play them together. One of them at the two and the other at the three. Hamilton is nice but he’s not that nice. You act like this dude is Durant or somebody. He don’t have that kind of game. Shawn is just as smooth as Hamilton and he’s an inch taller and way longer. Forget what they’re listed at trust me, Shawn has more size and can shoot it just as well.

Leave a Reply

Follow Us

Related Articles

Hot Forum Topics

Activity

  • Scipio Tex commented on the blog post Now THAT’S Taking One For The Team   9 minutes ago

    He played for New Mexico State.

    We recruited him briefly, along with Louisville, Pitt and a host of others. Everyone ran when they realized he was a lunatic.

  • Scipio Tex commented on the blog post Now THAT’S Taking One For The Team   9 minutes ago

    He played for New Mexico State.

  • Jorgrama commented on the blog post Bracket Breakdown & Gambling Tips   12 minutes ago

    Had some harsh words about Barnes in that podcast, that’s for sure. . . .

  • dick commented on the blog post Now THAT’S Taking One For The Team   15 minutes ago

    Didn’t we think we target him at one point?

    He’s a good player, imagine UNM with him on their #3 seed roster.

  • dick wrote a new blog post: FLV March Madness First Round Bets   17 minutes ago

    Here we are, my favorite weekend of the year.  I’ve taken sick days on the first two days of the tourney every year except my first and this year is no different (i’m feverish, which is true).  My one goal for the gambling season (August thru first weekend of April) is to have enough money to bet on every

  • Scipio Tex commented on the blog post Now THAT’S Taking One For The Team   47 minutes ago

    Pope was a real head case recruit, if I recall correctly.

    Shot four times in high school too.

    Transferred to the Hall from New Mexico St after all of the Big Schools gave him the cold shoulder for his recruiting antics.

  • Scipio Tex wrote a new blog post: Place Your Bets, Gentlemens   53 minutes ago

    First, if you’re not reading Fading Las Vegas or March to March, you’re missing out on the best college basketball prognostication available in the free market. The vast bulk of Kevin Berger’s basketball writing is going to be found there, so click accordingly.

    The key delineation to make is that Fading Las Vegas

  • admin commented on the blog post Final Four Prediction   1 hour, 46 minutes ago

    Baylor scares me. They have no idea what the bright lights feel like.

    Huggins also has a horrible history with high seeds from his days at Cincy.

    Bingo.

    Bingo.

    Yet Gary Williams has a ring. Maybe this is Huggy’s year and maybe Scott Drew can get laid in a morgue. Love to see what Huggy could have

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • admin commented on the blog post Final Four Prediction   1 hour, 46 minutes ago

    Baylor scares me. They have no idea what the bright lights feel like.

    Huggins also has a horrible history with high seeds from his days at Cincy.

    Bingo.

    Bingo.

    Yet Gary Williams has a ring. Maybe this is Huggy’s year and maybe Scott Drew can get laid in a morgue.

    I have these guys in my bracket. DEEP.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • dick commented on the blog post Early NCAA Tournament Bets   1 hour, 57 minutes ago

    Travis,

    63-58 on KenPom for 121. That’s still a really low scoring game

  • Scipio Tex commented on the blog post Bracket Breakdown & Gambling Tips   2 hours, 37 minutes ago

    Thanks, dick. Interesting perspective.

  • dick commented on the blog post The Definitive Bracket: 63 Guaranteed Winners!   3 hours ago

    KB,

    You are going to be too smart for your own good. A common fault amongst Bracket makers. There’s a reason why the 55 year old admins win 80% of these things every year.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • dick commented on the blog post Bracket Breakdown & Gambling Tips   3 hours, 4 minutes ago

    “which impresses me since I know he didn’t hear the podcast.”

    You shouldn’t be, after reading both guys over the past year, KB knows more about basketball and gambling than Millman does and it’s not even close.

    A little warning about Chad Millman. I was pretty excited when I heard that ESPN hired a

  • Luke wrote a new blog post: Some perspective for a generation of Wildcats   3 hours, 4 minutes ago

    Kansas State is beginning the NCAA tournament as a #2 seed with legitimate final four hopes (just ask the president) in less than 24 hours.

    I’m going to need a moment to admire that sentence…….

    OK, I’m good.

    As the anticipation has built over the last few days, I’m sure I’m not the only one who has taken

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • whiskey wrote a new blog post: Chalk Talk: The ND 3-4 Transition Part I- Expectations   3 hours, 30 minutes ago

    Welcome to the first of what I hope will be many installments of “Chalk Talk” with LB Coach. I am excited to introduce LB Coach as a new contributor to One Foot Down. LB Coach has a significant amount of experience playing football at Notre Dame and on the professional level. He also has a

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • dick commented on the blog post Early NCAA Tournament Bets   3 hours, 46 minutes ago

    I’ll post all of my first day games tonight.

  • srr50 wrote a new blog post: Now THAT’S Taking One For The Team   6 hours, 6 minutes ago

    Aggie Corp with “Squeeze Army?”

    POSERS

    Texas Tech forward Darko Cohadarevic doesn’t just talk the talk — he walks the walk.

    Tuesday night Tech faced Seton Hall in a first round NIT contest. With the game tied at 10, Seton Hall forward Herb Pope delivered two below-the-belt blows to Cohadarevic.

    After Pope was ejected, Tech went on

  • Kevin Berger commented on the blog post Bracket Breakdown & Gambling Tips   7 hours, 49 minutes ago

    Louisville has a great chance if Jerry Smith is healthy.

  • Kevin Berger commented on the blog post Final Four Prediction   7 hours, 51 minutes ago

    Good team that took number 1 seeded Louisville to the wire in last year’s tournament. Start 3 seniors and two juniors, very athletic. Solid pass first point guard. Their leading scorer was player of the year in the conference.

    Good club that plays multiple defenses.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • ghostofagroundgame commented on the blog post Bracket Breakdown & Gambling Tips   8 hours, 15 minutes ago

    I just took Baylor going to the Elite 8. It’s a crazy mixed up world we live in.

    Is it just me, or does it pain anyone else to not be able to determine who is going to beat Duke early? It’s bound to happen, but who will it be?

  • Art Vandelay commented on the blog post Final Four Prediction   8 hours, 18 minutes ago

    By “we” I meant the Horns. Kevin, why should I take Siena over A&M?

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Kevin Berger commented on the blog post Bracket Breakdown & Gambling Tips   8 hours, 32 minutes ago

    colorado ag, Utah State is as athletic as Nebraska. You’ll be fine as long as they don’t go 16 for 31 from three.

    Siena, on the other hand, is going to beat you like you stole something. Maybe not, but the Saints should win.

  • Kevin Berger commented on the blog post Bracket Breakdown & Gambling Tips   8 hours, 35 minutes ago

    Great article Scipio. Also, thanks for the dime.

    Looking at the Tournament futures market, Vegas is telling us what they think about Onuaku’s health. The Orangemen have the easiest region and road to the fianl four, yet they’re +700 to win it all, while UK and Kansas, teams with much tougher roads, are +250

  • Art Vandelay commented on the blog post Final Four Prediction   8 hours, 40 minutes ago

    My brackets are pretty much locked down except the South. Can’t get myself to take Baylor, and Duke doesn’t feel right. Nobody seems to be high on Nova. It’s all about the Big East and Big 12 this year.

    It’s a crying shame we suck so bad. We are in a good

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • James commented on the blog post Bracket Breakdown & Gambling Tips   8 hours, 51 minutes ago

    Scip, like a peaceful Indian in the 1800’s, I never trust a Mormon that can shoot. Utah State has me worried.

    If we escape the first weekend, things get very interesting with a potential Sweet 16 match-up with Duke. Ugly up the game and guard like hell on the perimeter in front of a

  • Scipio Tex commented on the blog post Bracket Breakdown & Gambling Tips   9 hours, 21 minutes ago

    CJD -

    Possibly. However, I’m telling you – the beauty of these intergame lines is that when you see that all-too-familiar big early game lead that you know will evaporate down the stretch as soon as the team starts regressing to their 3 point shooting mean, there’s some money to be made.

  • Scipio Tex commented on the blog post Bracket Breakdown & Gambling Tips   9 hours, 23 minutes ago

    uthookem-

    I’d say you have your priorities straight.

    colorado -

    Anytime. How far do you think the Aggies go? A lot of people think Utah State is the most dangerous pure shooting team in the tournament.

  • uthookem commented on the blog post Bracket Breakdown & Gambling Tips   9 hours, 33 minutes ago

    Last year in Vegas, Friday morning, stumble to the line at 8:30 to make my bets, put $20 on a four-team parlay on the four 9:00 am games, nailed it! Three of the four games’ spread was determined in the final 0:30. Walked away with $220.

    Yeah, so what if that is the only

  • James commented on the blog post Sending Aggies to the NFL   9 hours, 34 minutes ago

    Jordan, all just wild, premature conjecture. I’d hedge that only a third of that 2013 list ever makes an NFL roster. It is picking which third that is the tough part.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • James commented on the blog post Bracket Breakdown & Gambling Tips   9 hours, 37 minutes ago

    Very interesting piece. These games can’t start soon enough. Thanks, Scip.