Friday's WAC hoops digest

Seattle and Coach Dollar are poking around Georgia (his father Donald is a Redhawk assistant coach as well as longtime prep coach in the Peach State):

First the set up via- Garrett Tucker:  

"Ohio State and Indiana are the latest schools to express interest in 2013 PF Lamarcus White of Kingdom Prep (GA)."

and

Seattle University was also in today to see White & his teammates. Justin Pride, Sekou Wiggs, Rozelle Nix & Rasheed Brooks among those guys 

Wiggs just committed to Idaho. 

One description of White: "The 6-foot-10 power forward from Georgia is a newcomer to the AAU scene but made a splash on Thursday with his ability to get up and down the floor and make things happen on both ends of the court. White even displayed a little range stepping out a couple times to knock down the three point shot."

It looks like he'll land in the SEC or ACC.

Justin Pride is a 2013 point described thusly: "The 5-foot-11 playmaker is the definition of a pass-first point guard. He spent the weekend loading up on assists, especially in the Top 20 game with sharp-shooter Jarvis Calhoun. Pride understands how to run the game and get his teammates involved."

Rozelle Nix stands 7-foot-1 and at least at one point checked in at 300 pounds. His description from one tourney: "Nix was the biggest player in attendance, and he took advantage of it. The big man showed he can use his body to protect the ball in the post, along with some nice post moves and finishes. He has a nice baby-hook inside, but he also has a soft tough that allows him to extend his game."

As for Rasheed Brooks: "Brooks has a college-ready body at 6-foot-6, and he also has great characteristics of a shooting guard. He shoots the ball well, but his best quality is getting to the basket and finishing with contact. His athleticism and length allow him to do a lot of different things on the court. He is definitely a slasher at this point in his career." 

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SJSU Assistant Coach Tim Marrion is on the prowl: "drove over 700 miles today looking for future spartans. feel good about the guys we're looking at. looking forward to finding more soon."

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Jason Groves checks in with his takes on some of New Mexico State's strengths and concerns. 

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Jeff Eisenberg previews this season's WAC, offering team and player predictions.

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From Garrett Tucker: "New Mexico, Denver, and Indiana State have offered 2014 SF/PF Jeremy Combs of Dallas Carter High School (TX)"

Saturday's WAC news

Denver has a visitor this weekend, Jordan Scott arriving on an official.

Scott is a 6-foot-6 guard/wing with a 6-foot-9 brother attending Colorado. Per Rivals, offers have been extended from Air Force, Drake and Wyoming.

Jeremy Bauman and Peter Robert Casey wrotes this on Scott in May 2012: "He may not have the bulk, but Jordan Scott is a physical forward at 6’6”, 190 pounds. He gets his hands on a lot of loose balls, can rebound well for his size and can match up with multiple positions defensively. Scott picks up most of his points as a perimeter slasher. With refined range, there’s a lot of upside to his game."

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Per Jim Hicks, Texas Arlington has landed a big, 6-foot-9 Lone Star Stater Jordan Williams.

Another Hicks tweet: "Brandon Williams had an offer from Miami (FL) during the April live period. Great catch for Scott Cross and his Mavericks staff."

One description: " Williams is a fluid, bouncy and athletic forward that can develop into a high major prospect in time. Williams can really block shots to go along with his size and athleticism."

From back in 2010: "Brandon (6″8) is an athletic kid, who has a high ceiling. Currently he is very raw, but his work ethic is causing him to progress at a very quick rate. He’s a great rebounder and shot blocker with explosiveness.  This is only his 2nd year of organized basketball." 

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Credit John Ralston at the GoVandal.net basketball message board for locating this Matt Hickman-penned story on Ajak Magot, a 6-foot-10-er out of Sudan who has an offer from Idaho. The story behind the story is often the most fascinating.

Wednesday's WAC basketball wrapup

This tidbit of Denver University basketball information in a recent athletics release caught PTW's eye:

"...Last year DU men's basketball student-athletes were once again leaders in their league with regard to academic performance. Eight members of the team were named to either the Sun Belt Conference Commissioner's List or Honor Roll, given to players with a 3.0 grade-point average or higher..."

That is extremely impressive.

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PTW was wondering about what seemed like an update embargo on Seattle's visit to China but this, from Coach Cameron Dollar, explains it all: "Sorry for not being able to update as the trip unfolded. China takes its social media policies seriously. Also, limited internet access."

Talk about the Chinese authorities shooting themselves in their respective feet. Gotta love the authoritarian counterproductiveness.

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From Hoopniks: "RT @TheRecruitScoop: JUCO PF Anthony Walker has committed to UT-Arlington, sources say."

He's a 6-foot-9 sophomore at South Plains Junior College this season after averaged 3.7 points and 2.5 rebounds per game while shooting 63% overall from the floor, 37% from the foul line in eight minutes a contest.  

Here's a November 2010 article regarding Walker signing with Texas Arlington out of high school.

Meet the Denver Pioneers

Coming off a season that produced wins against Utah State, St. Mary's and Southern Mississippi, Coach Joe Scott's Pioneer crew in now a member of the WAC.

But it was a very successful Sun Belt Conference farewell tour as, overall, Denver went 11-5 (and 22-9). This despite not having a player on the roster larger than 6-foot-9 (and he played about 10 minutes a contest).

One of (if not the primary factor) the reasons is the patient offense the Pioneers employ, similar to what many recall Pete Carrill utilizing in his days at Princeton. It requires discipline, patience and selflessness until a defensive breakdown occurs and then the Pioneers strike.

Some very interesting numbers

Scott's 2011-12 team shot 49% overall, 40% from long distance -- opponents shot 44%

It was a three-point shooting machine on the court, attempting 640 versus 383 for opponents.

The Pioneers compiled 484 assists to 264.

Turnovers were 375 for Denver to 453 for opponents.

There was also a large differential in steals, 223 to 154.

For the season, DU was -4 in rebounding numbers, indicative of the lack of size

The Pioneer roster

In the backcourt, it looks like:

6-foot-3 prep shooting guard Nate Engesser is the lone signee PTW could locate to date

* Cam Griffin G 6-3 So (played just 42 minutes last season)
   
* Chase Hallam G 6-5 Sr (7.5 points, 4.1 rebounds per game, a team-leading 44 steals, started every game)

* Brett Olson G 6-5 170 So (as a frosh, he started every game, finished second on the team in minutes, averaged 7.6 points per game, his 46% three-point shooting  -- 117 attempts -- led the conference

* Royce O'Neale G 6-5 So (another freshman who quickly jumped into the fire, 9.9 points on 51% shooting and 5.8 rebounds per game, 43 steals

* Tyler Thalken G 6-4 195 Sr (played just 23 minutes)

* Charles Webb G 5-5 155 Jr (didn't play, must have redshirted)

In the frontcourt, it looks like:

* Marcus Byrd F 6-7 Fr (didn't play, must have redshirted)

* Blake Foeman F 6-7 Jr (played just 254 minutes)
   
* Chris Udofia F 6-6 194 Jr (14.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, 53% overall shooting, 72 blocked shots and named Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year)

* Jake Logan C 6-8 215 Fr (didn't play, must have redshirted)

In summary, there will be additions to the team -- there has to be. Size will be an issue in matching up with the Utah States and the New Mexico States.

The core is the two now-sophomore backcourters, Olson and O'Neale, who will only get better and the third man in the Pioneer troika, Udofia, who has All-WAC possibilities.

McKenzie inks with Denver

6-foot-9 former Xavier power forward Griffin McKenzie has transferred to Denver and will redshirt this season.