Matt Jones on the AAU Circuit

[Will Lavender]

Link (http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/)

Tough news re: Villarino, Euton, and Ross-Miller. (Interesting tidbit about GJ's status changing in the near future.)

It's hard to tell if these write-ups are Matt's own thoughts on seeing the players, or if he's culling them from reports around the Web. There's very little (read: nothing) that's basketball-specific in those blurbs.

[Will Lavender]

Notice that UKosomu has posted some snippets from this link around the Recruiting forum, but I thought I would put the whole thing here for discussion.

I guess one question that arises is this:

Do you think Gillispie was feeling the pressure (we talk about recruiting on these message boards A LOT, so it's clearly something that Kentucky fans are preoccupied...cough...obsessed with; Mitch B. also mentioned recruiting more than once during Gillispie's welcoming event last summer) to change the mindset in regards to recruiting at UK, and he jumped the gun too quickly on these three kids?

[Will Lavender]

Link (http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/)

Tough news re: Villarino, Euton, and Ross-Miller. (Interesting tidbit about GJ's status changing in the near future.)

It's hard to tell if these write-ups are Matt's own thoughts on seeing the players, or if he's culling them from reports around the Web. There's very little (read: nothing) that's basketball-specific in those blurbs.

Reading the link more closely, I think MJ's giving his thoughts on others' thoughts regarding the camps.

[Will Lavender]

Noticed this in the comments section of the write-up:

“In watching Wilson’s team, I’ve been very impressed with their point guard, GJ Vilarino. The Texan is quick and efficient with the dribble, and makes good passes while playing at a high rate of speed. He committed to Kentucky in April of ‘07, and isn’t ranked by Rivals.com. Kentucky got a good one. He was being heavily recruited by Texas A&M when Billy Gillespie left College Station for Lexington.”

Link (http://kentucky.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=824841)

[matt colvin]

I'm still appalled to think that KC Ross-Miller won't be a very good point guard for us. He might not have Rondo's athleticism, but who does. I'm anxious to see what they think of him after this upcoming season.

If a kid doesn't wow on this circuit, his "stock" drops like a ton of bricks. You can say that it is legitimate because they're now competing against a high level of competition, but there are other factors too, such as becoming acclimated to new teammates, coaches, etc.

Still like what I hear from Ross-Miller. 2010 will be a huge class for us before it's over. 2009 could be great too.

[matt colvin]

Do you think Gillispie was feeling the pressure (we talk about recruiting on these message boards A LOT, so it's clearly something that Kentucky fans are preoccupied...cough...obsessed with; Mitch B. also mentioned recruiting more than once during Gillispie's welcoming event last summer) to change the mindset in regards to recruiting at UK, and he jumped the gun too quickly on these three kids?

Yes and No. Euton could still be a good player for us. He's still growing into his body. He'll need to grow at least 2-3 more inches though, imo. I don't believe he'll become substantially quicker. He's big, can shoot anywhere on the court, can pass, has a high basketball IQ, works hard, this all adds up to having a chance. The rest of the class will likely have a couple more stars in it, so really solid 4 year guy is always helpful too.

I have no clue about GJ (Gillispie had been on him for a while, doesn't sound like he's continued improving though)

As for Ross-Miller, I think my opinion has been stated enough about him lately.

[sardiscat]

"I have no clue about GJ (Gillispie had been on him for a while, doesn't sound like he's continued improving though)"

Just depends upon who you listen to. That comment posted by Will Lavender makes him sound like a great get. As does the fact that he got double figure assists in every game he played at Gillispie's camp. As does the 40" vertical. It also seems that the good reports about him come from people who have actually seen him play, and all the doubts that are being expressed about him are coming from people who have not seen him play. Of course, there's no requirement that one have actually seen a guy play before telling the world on an internet site that he isn't good enough to play at UK. We've seen plenty of that.

[RCS]

If you are a small pg it is tough to get high rankings unless you are a) a deadly shooter or b)lighting quick. Neither of these guys are either of those but they are both, it appears, excellent floor leaders. Ross-Miller has said he is going to focus on working on his shot, and he still has a couple of years to do so, and if he adds that to his court vision and overall game I still think he can be a very good pg. I have not seen much of either, but I have to think BCG saw something in these kids so I will with hold judgement until it is much closer to them actually arriving on campus.
As for Euton, his key is to keep growing and to get stronger. Big, skilled players always have a place on a basketball team. There have been a bunch of guys who were not the greatest athletes but they could shoot and take up space that were major contributors in college basketball.

[poodoo]

Noticed this in the comments section of the write-up:

“In watching Wilson’s team, I’ve been very impressed with their point guard, GJ Vilarino. The Texan is quick and efficient with the dribble, and makes good passes while playing at a high rate of speed. He committed to Kentucky in April of ‘07, and isn’t ranked by Rivals.com. Kentucky got a good one. He was being heavily recruited by Texas A&M when Billy Gillespie left College Station for Lexington.”

Link (http://kentucky.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=824841)

Natually, I like THAT evaluation better. :) Of course, if the three players eventually become Cats, as planned, they are going to need to perform far better than their current rankings. Too, just that can certainly happen, besides there being plenty of time to improve their play. Regardless, though, the comments about Villarino, Ross-Miller, and Euton were not pleasant reading for this Cat fan.

In contrast, I surely love what I have been reading about Dominique Ferguson (excluding Tipton's comments) AND our chances with Orton, Wall, and Barnes. Scholarship availability is seemingly a concern right now, though. We'll just all have to wait patiently :icon_mrgreen: to see what happens. :) GO CATS! GO COACH G!

[kyrgaines]

North Carolina guard John Wall, the No. 1 recruit in the '09 class by Rivals.com isn't even considering UNC on his top list? What the heck is that all about? I'm not complaining...lol We would gladly take him off their hands.

[WildcatDan]

I have never seen Will Lavender play basketball but I feel pretty confident that he is not good enough to play for UK.


You are right! That WAS easy! :icon_mrgreen:

[Will Lavender]

I have never seen Will Lavender play basketball but I feel pretty confident that he is not good enough to play for UK.

If only there were a star system for making killer grilled cheeses...

[JWORLD]

Vilarino,Ross-Miller, and Euton seem to be taking some heat but at the same time do we really want a roster full of McDonald's All Americans. Most great teams ,with the exception of a few, have always had a couple of studs surrounded by good role players who understand there role and what they need to do to help the team. Memphis this year was a prime example along with NC that had great talent but choked when it counted the most. In the 96-98 era of UK dominance, yes we had some very deep benches but it always seemed like the Mills , the Shepards and the Turners came up big when we needed it the most. Yes they were all very good players but yet they weren't considered the cream of the crop.

I don't want to miss out on the big time talent but yet it won't bother me that we have a few average players on our team that are willing to sacrifice for the good of the team and play the role that the coach asks of them.We will just have to wait and see what happens.

[Gunsmoke]

I like hardworking basketball players who do the little but necessary things like make the proper pass at the right time to the right person, bang the boards for the rebound and put back, set a real screen, etc etc. A lot of the time these evaluators look at individuals and their WOW appeal instead of being able to envision multiple players applying their skills at the same time on the same court for the same team. That takes real skill.

[billoliver40]

I think we all want McDonald's double A's that have a hard nosed, take no
prisoners defense/ work ethic.

Don't usually happen. Ask the guys at Duke.

Coach is building his rep or gonna lose his rep not so much as what these
kids are today, but what they will be by their sophomore / junior year in college.

It's all a roll of the dice.

[weedhopper41]

I'm not comparing them but if Euton grows a little and becomes a player in the mold of Padgett he will be a very good addition. Padgett could score inside or outside. Besides having a good career at UK he had a decent NBA career. He was never a star in the NBA but was with the Nuggets a long time.

[RxRusty]

I've watched Ross-Miller in several games now. He's not flashy but he does seem to be solid: few turnovers, good passer, good handle, nice jump shot, pretty quick, good free throw shooter. In all these games, he was playing up a year so I think he has a chance to be pretty good. I like his attitude on the court. Watching his AAU coach, it was clear to me that he relies heavily on Ross-Miller in key situations. I don't know what else you could ask for in a high school junior-to-be.