Youth Basketball Recruits into the B1G

2014 Basketball Recruits: Highlighting the ESPN 100

The Big Ten Conference (B1G) is the oldest Division 1 collegiate athletic conference in the United States. It includes major universities originally in the Midwest with large enrollments and considerable research funding. There are currently 14 members: University of Illinois, Indiana University, University of Iowa, University of Maryland, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, University of Nebraska, Northwestern University, Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University, Rutgers University, and University of Wisconsin. Established more than 120 years ago, officially incorporated in 1905, B1G is the premiere collective of academic institutions in the country. To play for one of these schools not only says something about athletic skill but also speaks to their academic achievements as well.

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Illinois picks up two players: Power Forward Leron Black from White Station High School, Memphis TN; and, Michael Finke from Centennial High School, Champaign, IL.

Leron Black aggressively runs the floor, consistently finishes above the rim with a range of 15 feet, and knocks down free throw area jumpers with regularity. But, he is “a child in a grown man’s body.” As he works on his skill level, he needs to work on ball handling under pressure on the perimeter and strengthen his back-to-the-basket footwork.

Illinois Signed 9/1/13

Leron BlackPower Forward

White Station High SchoolMemphis, TN

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Indiana picks up five new palyers: Shooting Guard Robert Johnson from Benedictine College Prep, Richmond VA; Shooting Guard James Blackmon Jr from Marion High School, Marion, IN; Max Hoetzel from Wilbraham & Monson Academy, Calabasas, CA; Jeremiah April from Westwind Prep Academy from Glendale, AZ; and, Tim Priller from Richland High School from Richland, TX.

Robert Johnson hits mid-range pull ups, gets to the rim on the break and knocks down open threes. He needs to add strength and perform at a high level on a consistent basis. His breakout performances this past and summer has drawn a lot of attention. He will be an excellent player at the college level.

Indiana Signed 9/20/13

Robert JohnsonShooting Guard

Benedictine College PrepRichmond, VA

James Blackmon Jr. breaks the game open quickly when he gets hot. With a range of 22 feet, he shoots confidently and receives kick outs, mid-range pull ups and ball reversals. Right now, however, he is mostly an average basketball athlete who needs to improve defensively.

Indiana Signed 10/31/13

James Blackmon, Jr.Shooting Guard

Marion High SchoolMarion, IN

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Maryland picks up three new players: Shooting Guard Romelo Trimble from Bishop O’Connell High School, Upper Marlboro, MD; Dion Wiley from Potomac High School, Oxon Hill, MD; Trayvon Reed from Life Center Academy, Snellville, GA; Michael Cekovsky from Canarias Basketball Academy from Slovakia, Europe; and, Jared Nickens from Westtown School from Monmouth Junction, NJ.

Romelo Trimble shoots with three point range mostly off the catch but scores plays off the dribble as well. He is a good ball handler and passer allowing him to run the team and get others involved as well as scoring. As he goes into college, he can hone his point guard skills and make elite lead guard plays on a consistent basis.

Maryland Signed 12/13/12

Romelo TrimbleShooting Guard

Bishop O’Connell High SchoolUpper Marlboro, MD

Dion Wiley has a prolific jump shot. Deadly off the catch, he has a potent crossover to separate from his defender finding pockets in the defense to release his shot. While he needs to improve his pull-up game as well as his ability to finish with his left hand in traffic, he will make an immediate impact due to his shooting prowess.

Maryland   Signed 6/7/13

Dion WileyShooting Guard

Potomac High SchoolOxon Hill, MD

Trayvon Reed has uses his massive size to reach the top of the box and catch lobs. He runs the floor with agility for a guy his size and patrols the lane at a wide radius with his shot-blocking ability. His best offense is a dunk at this point and so he remains otherwise raw from a skill standpoint. He’s just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential.

Maryland   Signed 8/22/13

Trayvon ReedCenter

Life Center AcademySnellville, GA

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Michigan picks ups Small Forward Kameron Chatman from Columbia Christian Schools, Portland OR. They also picked up Ricky Doyle from Bishop Verot High Schoo, Fort Myers, FL; D.J. Wilson from Capitol Christian School, Sacramento, CA; Aubrey Dawkins from New Hampton School from Palo Alto, CA; Muhammed-Ali Abdur-Rahkman from Allentown Central Catholic High School from Allentown, PA; and, Austin Hatch from Loyola High School, Los Angeles, CA.

Still gawky with extremely long arms and high hips, Kameron Chatman is still growing. His skill set will surely develop playing at Michigan and his speed will increase with maturity. This left-hander has a soft shooting touch that will get better with added strength. He hits three pointers and he has a great mid-range.

Michigan   Signed 10/1/13

Kameron Chatman Small Forward

Columbia Christian SchoolsPortland, OR

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Michigan State picks up Point Guard Lourawls Nairn from Sunrise Christian Academy, Bel Aire KS; Javon Bess from Lincoln High School, Gahanna, OH; and, Marvin Clark from Sunrise Christian Academy, Blue Springs, MO.

Originally from the Bahamas, Lourawls Nairn will be a lightening quick point guard at the Division I level. A blur with the ball in his hands, he creates a tempo of play unmatched in the field. He gets to the rim with elite speed and keeps his handle low and tight. He is difficult to contain while penetrating. He just needs to polish his jump shot and extend his range on it.

Michigan State   Signed 9/26/13

Lourawls Nairn Point Guard

Sunrise Christian AcademyBel Aire, KS

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Northwestern picks up Small Forward Victor Law from Saint Rita High School, South Holland IL; Bryant McIntosh from Greensburg High School, Greensburg, IN; Gavin Skelly from Westlake High School, Westlake, OH; Johnnie Vassar from Serra Catholic High School, San Juan Capistrano, CA; and, Scott Lindsey from Fenwick High School, Oak Park, IL.

Victor Law completes plays in heavy traffic, draws fouls, and creates off the bounce with great spin moves. He can make three point shots off the catch when his feet are set. However, he must make his perimeter jump a more consistent weapon and stay engaged in the game. When he is locked in and focused, he can be a tough forward to match up.

Northwestern   Signed 7/4/13

Victor Law Small Forward

Saint Rita High SchoolSouth Holland, IL

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Ohio State picks up three new players: Shooting Guard D’Angelo Russell from Monterde Academy, Louisville, KY; Small Forward Keita Bates-Diop from University High School, Bloomington IL; Small Forward Jae’Sean Tate from Pickerington Central High School, Pickerington OH; and, David Bell from Garfield Heights High School, Garfield Heights, OH.,

A sweet shooting lefty, D’Angelo Russell knocks down jumpers all over the floor with range past the arc. Getting deep in the lane, he draws multiple defenders and delivers to open teammates. He needs to stay in full attack mode for long stretches of time to be more consistent.

Ohio State   Signed 6/7/13

D’Angelo Russell Shooting Guard

Montverde AcademyLouisville, KY

Keita Bates-Diop finishes over defenders with length as opposed to strength. He scores in the low post with turn shots and faces with short quick attacks along the baseline and from the high post area. He draws fouls and has a nice free throw stroke. In his college game, he should focus on building his back to the basket moves and perimeter game.

Ohio State   Signed 11/18/12

Keita Bates-DiopShooting Guard

University High SchoolBloomington, IL

Jae’Sean Tate plays hard all the time. He’s a terrific rebounder for his position and a good scorer who has continued to improve his perimeter skills. With his feet set, he shoots at 17 feet. He’s undersized for a power forward so he either needs to improve his perimeter skills or grow.

Ohio State   Signed 11/19/12

Jae’Sean Tate Small Forward

Pickerington Central High SchoolPickerington, OH

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Purdue picks up five new players: Center Isaac Haas from Hokes Bluff High School, Piedmont, AL; Small Forward Vincent Edwards from Middletown High School, Middletown OH; Jaquil Taylor from Beaver Country Day School, Cambridge, MA; Dakota Mathias from Elida High School, Elida, OH; and, P.J. Thompson from Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, Indianapolis, IN.

Isaac Haas runs the floor well for his large size but his inability to consistently score holds him back. Since he has yet to power back and attack the rim, he is mainly a rebounder/post defender who must learn to score on the low block. When he develops a dominant low post player’s attitude, he will be highly sought after for his size and strength to defend the low post area.

Purdue   Signed 11/18/13

Isaac Haas Center

Hokes Bluff High SchoolPiedmont, AL

Vincent Edwards is an above the rim two foot jumper that finishes with power, a good rebounder and defensive on both forward positions. He also will continue to develop his perimeter jumper and extend his range to create a shot off the bounce when under intense ball pressure.

Purdue   Signed 9/14/13

Vincent EdwardsSmall Forward

Middletown High SchoolMiddletown, OH

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Author: Melanie Carbine

Melanie Carbine has degrees in English Literature and Math Education from the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University. She has lived in various parts of the world including Micronesia and the United States.  She currently writes for several education blogs, vlogs about her travels, and teaches middle school in the DC Metro Area.