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houstondukie
08-25-2009, 02:48 PM
He visited unc and met w/ roy williams the day before he came to Duke's elite camp. He enjoyed his unc visit very much but roy held off on an offer for the time being. Maybe Duke gains an advantage by offering before unc?

"I just got off the phone with coach K," Trimble (Tokoto's father) said. "He offered him. It was a great conversation."

"The trip went great," he added. "We all went and it was an honor. Coach K said us as a family would be a perfect fit for Duke. He thought JP's character and charisma and obviously his game were a perfect fit."

Tokoto also has offers from Kansas, Tennessee, Indiana, Marquette, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota.

watzone
08-25-2009, 02:57 PM
He visited unc and met w/ roy williams the day before he came to Duke's elite camp. He enjoyed his unc visit very much but roy held off on an offer for the time being. Maybe Duke gains an advantage by offering before unc?

"I just got off the phone with coach K," Trimble (Tokoto's father) said. "He offered him. It was a great conversation."

"The trip went great," he added. "We all went and it was an honor. Coach K said us as a family would be a perfect fit for Duke. He thought JP's character and charisma and obviously his game were a perfect fit."

Tokoto also has offers from Kansas, Tennessee, Indiana, Marquette, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota.

I had a long talk with JP and his Dad last evening and Duke called and offered this morning. Tokoto and his family are really sharp and Duke is in on this kid earlier than anyone before.

http://bluedevilnation.net/

roywhite
08-25-2009, 03:00 PM
http://www.wissports.net/sports/hoopsb/blog/message.aspx?f=123&id=1058128

Had this link from Tokoto's home state of Wisconsin in another thread, but I'll add it to this one, since he apparently really does have a Duke offer.

CameronBornAndBred
08-25-2009, 03:01 PM
I had a long talk with JP and his Dad last evening and Duke called and offered this morning. Tokoto and his family are really sharp and Duke is in on this kid earlier than anyone before.

http://bluedevilnation.net/
I was wondering if we had offered a sophomore before, seems K doesn't do that. Or at least didn't.

Bluedog
08-25-2009, 03:02 PM
I was wondering if we had offered a sophomore before, seems K doesn't do that. Or at least didn't.

We offered Dmarc at the very end of his sophomore year. But, yeah, it's generally against Coach K's practice. And JP Tokoto is in the summer between his freshman and sophomore years, so that's way before Dmarc.

houstondukie
08-25-2009, 03:11 PM
I had a long talk with JP and his Dad last evening and Duke called and offered this morning. Tokoto and his family are really sharp and Duke is in on this kid earlier than anyone before.

http://bluedevilnation.net/

Watzone - there are some rumors that Tokoto may decide very soon. Is this just wishful thinking?

watzone
08-25-2009, 03:15 PM
Watzone - there are some rumors that Tokoto may decide very soon. Is this just wishful thinking?

I hate rumors! Jusdging from what his Mom, Dad and JP said, it will go on until, well longer. I was able to see him play during the Orlando Showcase and think it's a wise offer on Duke's part.

BlueintheFace
08-25-2009, 04:18 PM
I had heard this might happen. Hope it works out for the best.

FireOgilvie
08-25-2009, 05:11 PM
Wow. The staff must be really impressed by Tokoto to offer him so early.

Here's an interview and a few clips:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1oXdKYVecg

shoutingncu
08-25-2009, 05:25 PM
I was wondering if we had offered a sophomore before, seems K doesn't do that. Or at least didn't.

There's a reason for that...

http://blogs.newsobserver.com/accnow/nabc-says-hands-younguns

(The blog actually talks about MP3, but the agreement is what's relevant).

BlueintheFace
08-25-2009, 05:43 PM
Wow. The staff must be really impressed by Tokoto to offer him so early.


They also have violated the NABC guideline asking coaches not to offer sophomores (much less rising sophomores). I'm a little torn about this offer.

FireOgilvie
08-25-2009, 05:53 PM
They also have violated the NABC guideline asking coaches not to offer sophomores (much less rising sophomores). I'm a little torn about this offer.

They did along with the other 7 or whatever schools that have also apparently offered him. The whole thing is kind of strange.

Indoor66
08-25-2009, 06:17 PM
Maybe he can graduate real early?

eightyearoldsdude
08-25-2009, 07:24 PM
They also have violated the NABC guideline asking coaches not to offer sophomores (much less rising sophomores). I'm a little torn about this offer.

As a heel, I'm glad Roy is sticking to the NABC guidelines, but I'm not sure it's a huge deal either way. Today's sophomores have been playing in national AAU tournaments for a few years, and they probably are more sophisticated about the recruiting process than sophs were in the '80s or '90s. But I catch your drift--with the Wall recruitment, the elite camp, and now this, Duke does seem to be making changes on the recruiting front.

speedevil2001
08-26-2009, 03:06 AM
this years game against wisconsin at madison, is going to be huge towards the recruiting of JP...lets hope we win and make a great impression on the young man.

UrinalCake
08-26-2009, 10:52 AM
I'm trying to place the origin of the name Tokoto. Is his father Japanese?

UrinalCake
08-26-2009, 10:58 AM
As a heel, I'm glad Roy is sticking to the NABC guidelines, but I'm not sure it's a huge deal either way. Today's sophomores have been playing in national AAU tournaments for a few years, and they probably are more sophisticated about the recruiting process than sophs were in the '80s or '90s.

I think the concern is, where do you draw the line? If every school wants to be the first to offer a kid, then we're going to see offers made to younger and younger kids. So if a guideline is set then at least there's a boundary that gets made and everyone's on the same page.

Didn't Kentucky make an offer to an eighth grader?

jimsumner
08-26-2009, 11:09 AM
His biological father is former GT star Brian Oliver. I believe the two are not close.

jesus_hurley
08-26-2009, 11:13 AM
I'm trying to place the origin of the name Tokoto. Is his father Japanese?

Brian Oliver from GT's lethal weapon 3 team

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Oliver

And i got beat to the punch....

COYS
08-26-2009, 11:48 AM
I think the concern is, where do you draw the line? If every school wants to be the first to offer a kid, then we're going to see offers made to younger and younger kids. So if a guideline is set then at least there's a boundary that gets made and everyone's on the same page.

Didn't Kentucky make an offer to an eighth grader?

If I'm not mistaken, Taylor King committed to UCLA in 8th grade.

I agree that it this is a slippery slope scenario, but I'm not so sure it's any different than colleges encouraging 10th graders who do well on the PSAT to apply for their scholarship programs. I remember I got mail from Texas A&M practically every week from January of my sophomore year until the latest possible application deadline had passed in the spring of my senior year encouraging me to apply for one of their biggest scholarships, even though I repeatedly tried to take my self off the email list.

I know it can be argued that it is one thing to encourage kids to begin thinking about their college education at a younger age and quite another to get them commit to a school strictly for basketball as a sophomore. I also understand that there's a difference between encouraging a student to apply to a scholarship program that they couldn't even win until their senior year of HS and committing to attend a school as a soph . . . However, with recruits having a very limited time to use their five official visits and with financial considerations a serious concern for many recruits wishing to take a few UV earlier in their HS career, I don't have a problem with a coach letting a recruit know that there's a scholarship available for them early on so that recruit can be certain that their money will not be spent in vain if they want to take an UV before their senior year. I especially don't have a problem if coach K has gotten to talk to the recruit and the recruit's family.

JasonEvans
08-26-2009, 11:51 AM
I'm trying to place the origin of the name Tokoto. Is his father Japanese?

JP is named after his mother's father (his grandfather) Jean-Pierre Tokoto (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Pierre_Tokoto) who was a very successful soccer player for Cameroon. Apparently, he taught JP how to play soccer and JP is quite good at that sport too.

JP has never had anything to do with Brian Oliver and calls his step-father, Trevor Trimble, "dad."

--Jason "there is enough story in this kid's background to fill up 8 or 9 games of material for Dickie V" Evans

eightyearoldsdude
08-26-2009, 12:31 PM
If I'm not mistaken, Taylor King committed to UCLA in 8th grade.

I agree that it this is a slippery slope scenario, but I'm not so sure it's any different than colleges encouraging 10th graders who do well on the PSAT to apply for their scholarship programs. I remember I got mail from Texas A&M practically every week from January of my sophomore year until the latest possible application deadline had passed in the spring of my senior year encouraging me to apply for one of their biggest scholarships, even though I repeatedly tried to take my self off the email list.

I know it can be argued that it is one thing to encourage kids to begin thinking about their college education at a younger age and quite another to get them commit to a school strictly for basketball as a sophomore. I also understand that there's a difference between encouraging a student to apply to a scholarship program that they couldn't even win until their senior year of HS and committing to attend a school as a soph . . . However, with recruits having a very limited time to use their five official visits and with financial considerations a serious concern for many recruits wishing to take a few UV earlier in their HS career, I don't have a problem with a coach letting a recruit know that there's a scholarship available for them early on so that recruit can be certain that their money will not be spent in vain if they want to take an UV before their senior year. I especially don't have a problem if coach K has gotten to talk to the recruit and the recruit's family.

I think it's important to bear in mind that the NCAA and the NABC are primarily concerned with the interests of the programs, and then only secondarily the players.

Imagine the two basic scenarios:

Player A and player B are both really good in 9th grade, receive scholarship offers from solid D1 schools, and verbally commit. Then, player A gets even better, rises to the top of the class, and feels like he could do better than School 1. So he decommits from school 1 (and goes on to play for big money at UK).

Player B, on the other hand, stagnates, perhaps struggles with injury, but still plays. It becomes obvious that School 2 would have never given him an offer had they known how he would develop, and no other D1 schools are interested. Still, without other justifications (e.g., JamesOn Curry), the school can't legitimately drop their offer, at least not without severely hurting their credibility on the recruiting front. And meanwhile, the offer to player B hampered their ability to recruit at his position, so they're doubly screwed. But player B has a scholarship at a D1 school that he wouldn't ordinarily have.

The point is that players can reverse their verbal commitments but schools cannot (easily), so it benefits a player to get that scholarship in hand--he can always go after the two in the bush later. But schools don't care about players, so they want to curb this practice. This is one area where the players have an advantage, and it's not surprising that the programs want to end it. But they've got a nasty game-theoretic problem on their hands, and even if they develop some binding rule about it, enforcement is going to be very difficult.

So K has my blessing to go after all the 8th graders he wants. There was a running joke at the old uncbasketball forum about the next recruit: "sperm."

JasonEvans
08-26-2009, 02:23 PM
There was a running joke at the old uncbasketball forum about the next recruit: "sperm."

I would have offered Lailaa Williams as a fertilized egg.

--Jason "http://www.blackcelebkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/lailaa-nicole.jpg" Evans

Welcome2DaSlopes
08-26-2009, 06:34 PM
I would have offered Lailaa Williams as a fertilized egg.

--Jason "http://www.blackcelebkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/lailaa-nicole.jpg" Evans

yea i wish candance parker has a vengence against duke. She would rather send her to Unc lol

jesus_hurley
09-22-2009, 11:55 PM
Royboy horning in on Tokoto:
http://www.germantownnow.com/sports/60322052.html

BlueintheFace
09-23-2009, 12:27 AM
Royboy horning in on Tokoto:
http://www.germantownnow.com/sports/60322052.html

I don't want any more recruiting battles with Roy. Not good for the heart. Just go away Deputy.

SilkyJ
09-23-2009, 03:00 AM
this years game against wisconsin at madison, is going to be huge towards the recruiting of JP...lets hope we win and make a great impression on the young man.

Why do you say that? Did he say that winning that game or how we play in that game was going to be a deciding factor or are you just guessing?? I bet I know the answer...


I don't want any more recruiting battles with Roy. Not good for the heart. Just go away Deputy.

Come on dude. How pathetic does that sounds. Roy is a heck of a recuiter but being scared like that just makes us look pathetic.

ITS ALRIGHT, ITS OK, YOU'RE GONNA WORK FOR US SOMEDAY

speedevil2001
09-23-2009, 04:23 AM
Why do you say that? Did he say that winning that game or how we play in that game was going to be a deciding factor or are you just guessing?? I bet I know the answer...




if you know the answer then great.

airowe
09-23-2009, 08:46 AM
Come on dude. How pathetic does that sound. Roy is a heck of a recuiter but being scared like that just makes us look pathetic.

ITS ALRIGHT, ITS OK, YOU'RE GONNA WORK FOR US SOMEDAY

Roy's been in contact with Tokoto for a looong time.

And, if you don't think we're going to be battling Roy for recruits until he retires, get ready to.

We do win these battles too. Ryan Kelly and Kyle Singler come to mind immediately. Anyone else?

BlueintheFace
09-23-2009, 09:43 AM
Come on dude. How pathetic does that sounds. Roy is a heck of a recuiter but being scared like that just makes us look pathetic.

ITS ALRIGHT, ITS OK, YOU'RE GONNA WORK FOR US SOMEDAY

I'm not scared of the outcome, just what the process does to my mental well being...

flyingdutchdevil
09-23-2009, 10:52 AM
Roy's been in contact with Tokoto for a looong time.

And, if you don't think we're going to be battling Roy for recruits until he retires, get ready to.

We do win these battles too. Ryan Kelly and Kyle Singler come to mind immediately. Anyone else?

IMO, I think a bunch of people are scared of Ole Roy for the whole Brandon Wright situation. It is the only true recruiting battle that Duke and UNC have been in together (outside of Barnes - more to come!). From what I heard, we had Wright until Ole Roy came in and swept him up.

Also, with the Barnes situation, everyone is shaking in their boots (including me). UNC came in late (like Wright) and had an amazing impression on the kid.

While I don't think that we should hate Roy for his efforts, my heart goes go bonkers when he is involved with the same recruit. I can't count Kelly and Singler as won battles as a) UNC didn't recruit either of them heavily and b) UNC hasn't been too affected by the loss of either. Had we had Wright, our season would have drastically changed. If we have Barnes, our future seasons will definitely change.

Faison1
09-23-2009, 11:09 AM
IMO, I think a bunch of people are scared of Ole Roy for the whole Brandon Wright situation. It is the only true recruiting battle that Duke and UNC have been in together (outside of Barnes - more to come!). From what I heard, we had Wright until Ole Roy came in and swept him up.

Also, with the Barnes situation, everyone is shaking in their boots (including me). UNC came in late (like Wright) and had an amazing impression on the kid.

While I don't think that we should hate Roy for his efforts, my heart goes go bonkers when he is involved with the same recruit. I can't count Kelly and Singler as won battles as a) UNC didn't recruit either of them heavily and b) UNC hasn't been too affected by the loss of either. Had we had Wright, our season would have drastically changed. If we have Barnes, our future seasons will definitely change.

I guess it depends on what you call a battle. Other notables that Duke has lost (if memory serves) are William Graves, and the new frosh Macdonald from Tennessee.

The fact is, Roy goes after the same type of kid that K does, dating back to Kansas days. He prefers scholar/athletes, mixed in with the occasional thug that Duke does not recruit.

So, let's keep our fingers crossed with Harrison, but be prepared for the future, because it's not going away.

jimsumner
09-23-2009, 11:16 AM
Folks, Duke and Carolina have been going after the same recruits since shortly after the formation of the Milky Way Galaxy. The fundamental nature of the Universe.

Kedsy
09-23-2009, 11:32 AM
While I don't think that we should hate Roy for his efforts, my heart goes go bonkers when he is involved with the same recruit. I can't count Kelly and Singler as won battles as a) UNC didn't recruit either of them heavily and b) UNC hasn't been too affected by the loss of either. Had we had Wright, our season would have drastically changed. If we have Barnes, our future seasons will definitely change.

I agree Duke's 2007 season might have been drastically different if we had Brandon Wright. But you think the past two seasons would not have drastically changed if we had lost Kyle Singler? I don't get that logic at all.

sandinmyshoes
09-23-2009, 12:34 PM
We have won some and lost some against Williams. Wright was more painful because it came down to just the two schools and we looked to be well ahead. That is also why some of us are so nervous about Barnes.

Tokoto worries me because the rumblings are he wants to get it done soon, but has decided to wait until UNC can offer. Evidently either Roy or UNC has a policy against early offers? Is that related to the college basketball coaches association's recommendations? If UNC is following that, why aren't we?

Bluedevil114
09-23-2009, 03:13 PM
I think the Harrison battle will be much like the Wall battle. It comes down to the relationship and how long we have been recruiting Harrison. Harrison will not just be swept off his feet, he is a good kid with character and family values. Wall had a great relationship with Calipari as does Harrison with Coach K. Once Kyrie commits, the dominoes of Rivers and Barnes are soon to follow.

I do not like that Ole Roy likes to recruit a kid we go after only to try to keep him from attending Duke. Many times it is well after we have been recruiting the kid just like he did with Wall.

Thats alright, Coach K with a bigger net and hitting the recruits earlier and more often has a great recruiting strategy. Carrawell and James were huge additions!!

phillyheel
09-23-2009, 03:15 PM
We have won some and lost some against Williams. Wright was more painful because it came down to just the two schools and we looked to be well ahead. That is also why some of us are so nervous about Barnes.

Pretty sure most people thought it was UK/Duke battle with UNC a distant 3rd.

smklin
09-23-2009, 05:32 PM
I think the Harrison battle will be much like the Wall battle. It comes down to the relationship and how long we have been recruiting Harrison. Harrison will not just be swept off his feet, he is a good kid with character and family values. Wall had a great relationship with Calipari as does Harrison with Coach K. Once Kyrie commits, the dominoes of Rivers and Barnes are soon to follow.

I do not like that Ole Roy likes to recruit a kid we go after only to try to keep him from attending Duke. Many times it is well after we have been recruiting the kid just like he did with Wall.

Thats alright, Coach K with a bigger net and hitting the recruits earlier and more often has a great recruiting strategy. Carrawell and James were huge additions!!

let's not get to swept up in the great events of the last week. we dont even have irving yet, and even if we do get him there is no guarantee that we'll get austin rivers and, IMO, an even smaller chance we get barnes. all three could have huge impacts on the duke teams of the next 5 years, but, for now, we've got what we've got and nothing more.

i also don't think that williams necessarily recruits kids just to keep them away from duke. unc and duke are comparable programs, so it's only natural that they'd go after the same caliber players, and, every once in a while, that's going to overlap. no foul there.

flyingdutchdevil
09-23-2009, 05:47 PM
I agree Duke's 2007 season might have been drastically different if we had Brandon Wright. But you think the past two seasons would not have drastically changed if we had lost Kyle Singler? I don't get that logic at all.

I never argued the point about not having Kyle Singler. UNC didn't recruit Singler and if they had, I don't think their season would have changed very much (one Final Four and a National Championship... can't really do better than that). If we didn't have Singler, than I agree, our last two seasons would have been very different. But I'm very sure I didn't make the reverse opinion....

jimsumner
09-23-2009, 06:34 PM
UNC recruited Kyle Singler.

airowe
09-23-2009, 06:44 PM
UNC recruited Kyle Singler.

http://duke.scout.com/a.z?s=167&p=8&c=1&nid=1260411

jimsumner
09-23-2009, 07:06 PM
UNC recruited Kyle Singler. Not successfully but they recruited him.

Blueequalslife23
11-04-2009, 12:38 PM
Just read somewhere he's a sophomore, And Duke offered him? Anybody seen this kids game? To get offered as a sophomore.... kid must be special.

MulletMan
11-04-2009, 12:43 PM
Just read somewhere he's a sophomore, And Duke offered him? Anybody seen this kids game? To get offered as a sophomore.... kid must be special.

Search function, people!!!! :D

This thread should answer many of your questions about Mr. Tokoto.

Ohiobobcat204
11-05-2009, 04:37 AM
He seems pretty athletic to me. Kid needs to bulk up but hes got plenty of time for that! I cant imagine what its like being a sophomore in HS and having all these schools battling over you, hopefully he can keep his head on straight and make the best decision for his future. Anyone know if hes one of those guys who plans to commit early or what?

shoutingncu
12-04-2009, 03:39 AM
http://www.highschoolhoop.com/getting-up/2009/12/jp-tokotos-star-is-on-the-rise/


He’s named after his grandfather (Jean-Pierre). My wife’s father. His grandfather is from Cameroon and he won two World Cups. J.P. will carry on the Tokoto name.

He's from Cameron?!

oldnavy
12-04-2009, 07:24 AM
http://www.highschoolhoop.com/getting-up/2009/12/jp-tokotos-star-is-on-the-rise/



He's from Cameron?!

Well, I hope he comes back home.

Bluedevil114
12-04-2009, 08:44 AM
Seems like he really impressed with Roy Williams. Hopefully he sees the light and come to Duke.

soccerstud2210
12-04-2009, 08:49 AM
not to be a pessimist but this sounds like HB all over again. except this time RW has put his hand in early. maybe that bodes well for us. :)

gotham devil
01-28-2010, 02:30 AM
http://theshiver.com/2010/01/self-checking-in-on-tokoto-add-uk-to-offered-and-visit-list/

Duke Parent 06
01-28-2010, 02:55 AM
http://theshiver.com/2010/01/self-checking-in-on-tokoto-add-uk-to-offered-and-visit-list/

Oh, great. According to the article he's gonna be Roy's guest at the game on Feb. 10. Let's hope he cheers Deon's free throws.

SeattleIrish
01-28-2010, 03:18 AM
He seems pretty athletic to me. Kid needs to bulk up but hes got plenty of time for that! I cant imagine what its like being a sophomore in HS and having all these schools battling over you, hopefully he can keep his head on straight and make the best decision for his future. Anyone know if hes one of those guys who plans to commit early or what?

HSH: So do you have a timeline?
TT: We talked as a family about maybe deciding by spring of next year. After basketball season.

s.i.

duke4life32182
01-28-2010, 09:00 AM
Well we should just blow UNC out then he will see the Duke light.

Memphis Devil
01-28-2010, 10:31 AM
So, here is what I am thinking...we go into Chapel Hill and build up a 20 to 25 point lead with about 8 minutes remaining in the game. Coack K then hands the reigns over to Collins and goes and sits next to J.P. in the stands behind the Carolina bench. He could then spend the rest of the game explaining to J.P. how he would fit into the Duke program. Would that be an NCAA violation?:D

jv001
01-28-2010, 10:34 AM
So, here is what I am thinking...we go into Chapel Hill and build up a 20 to 25 point lead with about 8 minutes remaining in the game. Coack K then hands the reigns over to Collins and goes and sits next to J.P. in the stands behind the Carolina bench. He could then spend the rest of the game explaining to J.P. how he would fit into the Duke program. Would that be an NCAA violation?:D

Only if he yells at Thompson when he's shooting free throws. Go Duke!

studdlee10
01-28-2010, 10:52 AM
So, here is what I am thinking...we go into Chapel Hill and build up a 20 to 25 point lead with about 8 minutes remaining in the game. Coack K then hands the reigns over to Collins and goes and sits next to J.P. in the stands behind the Carolina bench. He could then spend the rest of the game explaining to J.P. how he would fit into the Duke program. Would that be an NCAA violation?:D

This is one recruiting battle I would not mind losing. If JP Tokoto to UNC means Duke gets one of Justin Anderson/Amile Jefferson/Shabazz Muhammed, I'm all for Roy on this one. I would prefer Duke to go after athletc, slashing wings rather than the more versatile set.

BD80
01-28-2010, 11:03 AM
So, here is what I am thinking...we go into Chapel Hill and build up a 20 to 25 point lead with about 8 minutes remaining in the game. Coack K then hands the reigns over to Collins and goes and sits next to J.P. in the stands behind the Carolina bench. He could then spend the rest of the game explaining to J.P. how he would fit into the Duke program. Would that be an NCAA violation?:D

Spending time in the stands didn't work out so well for Ricky Byrdsong at Northwestern.

It would be interesting to see how the heels would react to having a real coach so close to their bench. I can imagine Stickland saying to ol' roy:

"60 practices with you and NOTHING. Just 5 minutes of being near Coach K and I understand basketball!"

BlueDevilCorvette!
01-28-2010, 12:09 PM
2012 is still a ways off. Hence, there is plenty of time for other names to pop up on Duke's radar. One may be this North Carolina product from North Edgecombe High School located outside of Tarboro (my former high school). This kid is for real. Attached are a couple of articles from a few summer league AAU style games.

Montrezl Harrell | 6-6 | SF/PF | Edgecombe Magnet HS (NC) | 2012
Harrell was arguably the top 2012 kid that we saw at Elite80 and certainly played harder than any of his peers in that class. The long forward had a game that extended well above the rim, regardless of who he was pegged against. He showed off the ability to put the ball on the floor from the wing, finish at the cup with either hand, and clean the glass. Harrell still isn’t a small forward completely and will have to work on his J to get there, but is surely one of the bright stars in North Carolina’s class of 2012.


The National Hoops Report sent the weekend at the Battle of the Classes showcase at the University of South Carolina. The event paired the top players from the 2010, 2011 and 2012 classes from North Carolina and South Carolina against each other. The first annual event was a big success because some familiar names did what they always do and some young players took advantage of the big stage. The 1-2 punch of Tyler Lewis and Montrezl Harrell was the best 1-2 punch of the day. The class of 2012 prospects from North Carolina had things rolling their way in the first game of the day.

Lewis, a heady 5-foot-9 point guard, had the best basketball smarts of any player in the gym on Saturday. He made the right passes, shot the right shots and never turned the ball over. Moreover, he realized the benefit of Harrell and gave the big man from rural North Carolina the ball as much as he could.

Harrell, a 6-foot-6 monster of a power forward, earned notes like this on the NHR notepad: “BEAST!” “Monster on the glass.” “Scores with power.” He was fun to watch and it will be fun to see how he develops over the next two and a half years.

Harrell, who hails from North Edgecombe High School, was the day’s biggest surprise and most intriguing player.

duke=legacy
02-25-2010, 01:00 AM
Might be at the Duke-UNC game (http://bluedevilinsider.wordpress.com/2010/02/25/jp-tokoto-set-to-visit-duke-again/)

Some people think it's more to watch UNC than Duke though.

rotogod00
02-25-2010, 08:31 AM
Might be at the Duke-UNC game (http://bluedevilinsider.wordpress.com/2010/02/25/jp-tokoto-set-to-visit-duke-again/)

Some people think it's more to watch UNC than Duke though.

hopefully the outcome of the game will change his mind a bit