DeAndre Liggins PG/SF '08

[WildcatRick]

by Matt Jones

So today was an exciting one in UK land as DeAndre Liggins, the #18 ranked player in America by Rivals.com and the #26 player by Scout.com committed to the University of Kentucky. It was a big get by Coach Billy Gillispie and was proof once again of his amazing recruiting prowess. At this point, Gillispie has been on the job for a little over two months and has brought in 5 recruits that were Top 40 guys in their class. Liggins followed the lead of Alex Legion, by visiting on campus and then realizing that Kentucky was the place he wanted to be, even in the process shunning Memphis, which had long been thought to be his leader. To give you an idea of how much ground Kentucky made up, when I spoke with Liggins at the Tournament of Champions, he mentioned Kentucky to me fifth on his list of schools and almost even forgot to mention them at all saying, "and oh yeah, Kentucky too." A month later, he is a Cat.

Liggins is a versatile player that is unlike virtually anyone else in the class. He is 6′6″, but a ball handler….more of a classic point forward, a la Scottie Pippen. He can bring the ball up and set up for his other teammates (thus able to play point) and this is how he is generally used in high school. Liggins believes that he will come in and replace Ramel Bradley, and he may very well do that. However he also has the ability to step out and play the wing, and he (like Derrick Jasper) can be a great big guard in a potential four guard lineup. He is a top-notch defender and penetrator who has no problem getting to the basket. He is not however a great shooter and it will be this skill that will be interesting to watch as the year develops. He compliments Alex Legion very well and the two of them have UK set for some time in the future at the wing position.

more and the videos... http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=2806

[WildcatRick]

QGWJi8RkUEQ

[WildcatRick]

-B_518_C16o

[WildcatRick]

Usz5XmZswnQ

[WildcatRick]

V0iEw5p49eY

[Coldstream]

http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=1968745
http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/42/424865m.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:photos%28%29;)
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 180
Position: SF, SG
Year: Class of 2008
AAU Team: Indiana Elite
High School: Brewster Academy (http://hsnewhampshire.scout.com/)
(Wolfeboro, NH)
2008 Scout.com HS Basketball Rankings (full list (http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=9&c=4&yr=2008&cfg=bb)):
Pos: SF
Pos Rank: #5
Pos Rating: http://media.scout.com/media/site_logo/rating.gif http://media.scout.com/media/site_logo/rating.gif http://media.scout.com/media/site_logo/rating.gif http://media.scout.com/media/site_logo/rating.gif
Scout.com Player Evaluation:
STRENGTHS http://media.scout.com/media/site_logo/eval_pro.gif Ability to Create http://media.scout.com/media/site_logo/eval_pro.gif Passing http://media.scout.com/media/site_logo/eval_pro.gif Versatility
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT http://media.scout.com/media/site_logo/eval_con.gif Mid-Range Game http://media.scout.com/media/site_logo/eval_con.gif Perimeter Shot

A completely unique wing player. Maybe best served being listed as a Scottie Pippen point-forward type. An astute passer with ballhandling skills. Gradually beefing up his scoring credentials. Likely the top prospect in the city of Chicago in the Class of 2008.

[RP_McMurphy]

Enjoy the trip down the Glory Road and may you help hoist a NCAA Championship banner in a few years.

[BigBlue75]

Gillispie nabs top basketball recruit DeAndre Liggins

By Jody Demling



There has been a lot of talk about the ability to recruit the elite players by new University of Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie.

With just over a month to work with, Gillispie landed Patrick Patterson and Alex Legion to complete the Class of 2007 and he's already scored two major recruits for the future – G.J. Vilarino (2009) and Dakotah Euton (2010).
But the Wildcats had no prospects in the fold for the Class of 2008.
Until yesterday when Gillispie made one of the biggest scores of his short tenure, luring the top player from the Chicago Public School League to Lexington.
DeAndre Liggins, a versatile 6-foot-6 player who can play several positions on the floor, gave a verbal commitment to the Wildcats. Liggins had visited the campus last weekend and informed the school of his decision yesterday. "I committed today," Liggins told The Courier-Journal in a text message and later confirmed that "Yeah, UK" it was the Wildcats.


http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200770627056

[artie5800]

I haven't been this excited about our basketball team in a long time..

[84Cat]

All I can say is WOW! At this rate, by the end of this summer, the '08 and '09 classes will be full and Coach G will down in the elementary schools looking for talent.

[Blue Heaven]

All I can say is WOW! At this rate, by the end of this summer, the '08 and '09 classes will be full and Coach G will down in the elementary schools looking for talent.
Or the local Day Cares.

[Will Lavender]

Hadn't watched those videos.

MAN we got a gamer. :eek:

[DCWildcat]

Hadn't watched those videos.

MAN we got a gamer. :eek:

Just hope he recovers well from the foot. He'll miss a lot of quality time as this summer is the "it" time for rising senior recruits. Luckily, he doesn't need to be discovered; he's already made a name for himself, so he shouldn't suffer too much.

Broken bones don't tend to have the lasting attenuation on athleticism that ligament, muscle, and tendon injuries have, so he should be ok. I don't see him getting Chuck Davis'd/Curtis Sumpter'd.

[Coldstream]

HZEDpKTtoWM

[matt colvin]

I'm pretty anxious to get DeAndre on campus, lol. He's going to be one tough customer.

[freethrow]

Just watched these videos again and I have to say that I am even more excited about this kid than I was the first time I watched them. :thumbup::thumbup:

[JayB]

I love this kid already, even with his TOs I like how they said "Prolific Playmaker" LOL

http://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=741226

[atltoddy2]

Will be nice to have a Playmaker at to PG position.

[Coldstream]

Courier-Journal KY Sports: UK recruit Liggins does it all Courier-Journal KY Sports:
University of Kentucky basketball fans who came out last night to see future Wildcat DeAndre Liggins score a bunch of points were sorely disappointed. But the 6-foot-6 Liggins didn't apologize after his game at the Lexington Christian Basketball Classic.

More... (http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080105/SPORTS11/801050551/1029/rss0703)

[Coldstream]

UK signee Liggins shows lots of game (http://fieldsnotes.wordpress.com/2008/01/04/uk-signee-liggins-shows-lots-of-game/)

Posted by Mike Fields (http://fieldsnotes.wordpress.com/) on January 4, 2008
http://fieldsnotes.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/300iggggg.jpg (http://fieldsnotes.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/300iggggg.jpg)When DeAndre Liggins arrived in Lexington this week with his Findlay Prep (Nev.) teammates for their game in the Lexington Christian Classic on Friday night, he got a taste of what his life will be like when he plays for Kentucky next season.
“This town’s crazy, the fans are everywhere, wherever you go,” Liggins said. “The restaurant we went to had a sign up, ‘Welcome DeAndre and Findlay Prep.’”
Liggins (shown at left in photo by Mark Cornelison) then went out Friday night and whetted the appetite of UK fans with his all-around play in Findlay Prep’s 83-47 rout of Western Reserve (Ohio). The 6-foot-6 point guard had only six points (he took six shots and hit 1 of 2 three-pointers), but he had six assists and six rebounds. He showed a solid floor game as a passer and ball-handler.
UK assistant Glynn Cyprien and a few Cats, including Perry Stevenson and Ramon Harris, were in the crowd.



http://fieldsnotes.wordpress.com/2008/01/04/uk-signee-liggins-shows-lots-of-game/

[bleedbluelady]

Liggins has not yet qualified academically to play as a freshman but said he's close.
"I think I have changed dramatically," Liggins said. "Coming to prep schools from public school, I have changed a lot academically. They hold me accountable at the prep school. My grades are a lot better. I think I am on the verge of qualifying."

That's certainly good to hear. :)

[DCWildcat]

Didn't realize grades were a potential issue with Liggins, but glad to hear he's working on clearing them up.

[freethrow]

I have followed this kid closely all season. Mainly because Findlay does a great job keeping up with the player stats. I have really liked most everything about Liggins. My only concern and this is probably due to him being a defensive focus of most teams is that he is averaging almost 5 TO's in 24 minutes PT. It also may well be that other players on the team can't handle his passes too well?

Current Stats:
http://www.findlayprep.com/ Click on Statistics on the right and then click on Liggins name in the stats area to see his individual stats.

[matt colvin]

My only concern and this is probably due to him being a defensive focus of most teams is that he is averaging almost 5 TO's in 24 minutes PT. It also may well be that other players on the team can't handle his passes too well?



I've heard that some of it is also trying to make a big play or threading a needle. From what I've heard, it's nothing that a little better selection couldn't fix :thumbup:

[freethrow]

I've heard that some of it is also trying to make a big play or threading a needle. From what I've heard, it's nothing that a little better selection couldn't fix :thumbup:

That is probably true, You just can't fire it in there at a big guys feet. It could also be that the passes are too hot for bad hands? I would bet that if the passes he makes are on target that P Patterson will scoop them up. Good things could be ahead. :thumbup:

[Coldstream]

Liggins working hard to achieve qualifying score Courier-Journal KY Sports:
Henderson (Nev.) Findlay Prep standout DeAndre Liggins took a major step toward his college career in November when he signed with the University of Kentucky. Now the 6-foot-6 Liggins is ready for the next step.

More... (http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080217/SPORTS11/802170528/1029/rss0703)

[matt colvin]

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/DeAndre-Liggins-5098/

Notice the date on those, Nov. 20 something of '07. Still some interesting info though.

[jwade]

Has one more class to pass. He's going to make it.


Jim

[Terry L. Wildcat]

Has one more class to pass. He's going to make it.


Jim

:big_grin::thumbup:

[Bombastic Blue]

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/DeAndre-Liggins-5098/

Notice the date on those, Nov. 20 something of '07. Still some interesting info though.

I'm worried. We just lost a TON of scoring in Joe and Ramel, and this article alludes to Liggins' lack as a shooter....twice.

"...isn't that great of a shooter..." and "...not exactly an offensive juggernaut."

I'm not saying he won't be a great addition to the team, but he's one of the incoming freshmen that some here have touted as replacements for the seniors. The way these articles read he'll be a clone of Derrick Jasper. Which isn't a bad thing, just not a scoring thing.

[freethrow]

I'm worried. We just lost a TON of scoring in Joe and Ramel, and this article alludes to Liggins' lack as a shooter....twice.

"...isn't that great of a shooter..." and "...not exactly an offensive juggernaut."

I'm not saying he won't be a great addition to the team, but he's one of the incoming freshmen that some here have touted as replacements for the seniors. The way these articles read he'll be a clone of Derrick Jasper. Which isn't a bad thing, just not a scoring thing.

Some articles are written by people that are clueless. Out of 33 games this season Liggins shot 50% from the floor and hit 43 of 115 from the 3 spot. He played on a team that had seven players averaging double figures so he did not have to shoot much. Where is the confusion with some of these writers? Maybe just too lazy to do proper research? geeezzz

[matt colvin]

Exactly freethrow. Liggins has a pass-first mentality. He can if and when needed though. He's a little bit better shooter than Derrick, at this point. From what I've seen and read, selection might be what he'll need to work on most. I'm quite excited to have him coming here.

When looking at recruits, especially those you can't see in person, you must look at as much info. as you can before forming an opinion, if you even do based on what others write. It's easy to watch one game and decide a recruit can do this and can't do that. Unfortunately writers do that too often.

[Bombastic Blue]

Some articles are written by people that are clueless. Out of 33 games this season Liggins shot 50% from the floor and hit 43 of 115 from the 3 spot. He played on a team that had seven players averaging double figures so he did not have to shoot much. Where is the confusion with some of these writers? Maybe just too lazy to do proper research? geeezzz

I feel better, now! Anyone can live with those numbers.

[countrycat]

I feel better, now! Anyone can live with those numbers.
Come to WCN if you want the facts.LOL

[Coldstream]

FINDLAY ADVANCES TO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (06 March,2008)

Findlay defeated defending champion Notre Dame Prep 74-70 wednesday at the National Prep Championship semifinals. Findlay (32-0) advances to play…
Read More >> (http://74.53.150.242/%7Emaxathle/findlayprep/index.php/news/details/27)

FINDLAY DEFEATS HARMONY TO ADVANCE TO SEMIFINALS (05 March,2008)

Findlay defeated Harmony Prep 88-79 on Tuesday in the quaterfinals to advance in the National Prep Championships. Jorge Gutierrez led…
Read More >> (http://74.53.150.242/%7Emaxathle/findlayprep/index.php/news/details/26)

FINDLAY #2 SEED AT NATIONAL PREP CHAMPIONSHIPS (02 March,2008)

NATIONAL PREP CHAMPIONSHIPS Tuesday, March 4, 9:30pm - FINDLAY COLLEGE PREP vs. HARMONY SCHOOL at Rose Hill Gymnasium (Fordham University)…
Read More >> (http://74.53.150.242/%7Emaxathle/findlayprep/index.php/news/details/25)
More News (http://74.53.150.242/%7Emaxathle/findlayprep/index.php/news/)

[Coldstream]

http://74.53.150.242/%7Emaxathle/findlayprep//uploads/playerthumbs/deandre.JPG (http://74.53.150.242/%7Emaxathle/findlayprep/index.php/player/index/1/4)
Name DeAndre Liggins
Year 2008
Position Point Guard Height 6'6"
Weight 190 lbs
Hometown Chicago, IL
Commitment Kentucky
Statistics

http://74.53.150.242/~maxathle/findlayprep/index.php/player/stats/1/4/

[Coldstream]

Rankings

Year 2008
Hoopscoop #32
Hoopmaster #32
Rivals #21
Prep Stars #31

[matt colvin]

Thanks for the updates Coldstream. Congratulations DeAndre, and good luck!

[dwarfdorin]

Liggin's season stats through the Findlay web site:

Led the team in scoring at 13.6 ppg (449 total), Led the team in assists at 5.6 apg (185 total), and led the team in rebounding at 7.6 rpg (250 total, 4 more than Trent). Team had 6 players average double figures on the year. Those were season stats don't know if it includes the post-season games or not.

:widcat::widcat: Go CATS!!!

[matt colvin]

Man, that is a really impressive stat line, especially given the balanced scoring on that team. Thanks for sharing.

[Ukosumu]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZEDpKTtoWM&NR=1

In this vid, taking a charge is part of the hightlights. This kid will look good in UK blue!

[freethrow]

I didn't see this posted. Sorry if it has been. This is a full game for Liggins in the Hoopfest. He doesn't shoot a lot in this game but he works his tail off and makes a bunch of great passes. Liggins is #3.

Go to this page and there is a thumbnail on the right near the top that will load the game. I couldn't get it to load in firefox but does fine in IE.
http://hoopfest.wazoosports.com/#

[JOHN BLUEBLOOD]

All I can say is WOW! At this rate, by the end of this summer, the '08 and '09 classes will be full and Coach G will down in the elementary schools looking for talent. Sometimes I love going back and looking at some old posts - this one is real funny now (in a good way), almost prophetic.:icon_biggrin:

[UK Lola]

Good catch, JB!:thumbup:

[dougwhit]

welcome aboard

[poodoo]

Hilarious, JOHN. :icon_lol: Thanks for finding that and sharing it. Also, I hope your vacation was a nice one. :)