2011 F Anthony Norris is no longer a Memphis commit.

July is now upon us and these summer months can be a critical time in recruiting for the Tigers. The July evaluation period, a time for coaches to get out and travel to find and lure the nation’s best talent, putting an end to the begins on July 6th until July 15th and also the 22-31.



Emerging names, late bloomers, information flow, and changing school lists are at their peak heading into the July evaluation period every year. Between Memphis’ lone 2011 commitment, Anthony Norris, withdrawing his verbal commitment on July 1st and a perceived lack of names on the recruiting radar, University of Memphis fans are sitting on the edge of their seats. With coaches hitting the road this coming week, here are a few things to keep your eyes on over the next few weeks:


BACK TO ZERO


As first reported by Jim Hicks of RCS Sports on July 1st, Anthony Norris (Memphis’ first and only 2011 commitment) withdrew his verbal pledge to the Tigers. Despite the fact that Norris committed early by most standards, he had actually wanted to commit approximately a month earlier. Memphis began courting Norris in July of 2009 while recruiting his former teammate and incoming Oklahoma State freshman Michael Cobbins. At that time, both Norris and Cobbins played for Ross Romero of the New Mexico Force.


Norris obviously passes the eye test, possessing size, a good frame, and great athleticism. It is easy to see why some around Norris see big-time potential in him. He moved from New Mexico to Houston, TX and played his junior season at Sam Houston High School. Struggling throughout the year, many attributed Norris’ less-than-stellar play to a lack of talent on his high school team. Failing to standout at camps this spring (NBPA Top 100 and others), Norris failed to reassure the Memphis staff that they made the correct decision in taking Norris early.


From Memphis’ point of view, their 2011 class is going to be relatively small. Depending on what happens after next season, the expectation is that Memphis will sign three or four players. Being extremely selective with the open roster spots, there was very little justification for maintaining the relationship with Norris heading into the summer. Parting ways now was best for both parties. Now open to all takers, Norris now has plenty of time to be properly evaluated by other schools and to find a better fit.


Norris Decommits


Out With the Old, In With the New


Going back a few weeks, 2011 multi-positional forward Maurice Harkless recently decommitted from the University of Connecticut and Memphis has, according to Harkless’ mentor Nate Blue, offered along with Rutgers, St. John’s, Seton Hall, Maryland, Louisville, Arizona, and others.


According to Blue, Harkless now stands at 6′8″ and can play almost any position on the floor.


“He is versatile and now stands at 6-foot-8,” Blue said. “He is only 17 and is still growing.”


Going back to when Josh Pastner first took over the Memphis program, the Tigers were involved with Harkless. Committing to UConn before Pastner had time to fully establish a relationship, Harkless will now have ample opportunity to make that connection. One connection already established for Harkless and the University of Memphis is the friendships Harkless has built with two current Memphis players. Incoming freshman Jelan Kendrick got a chance to play against Harkless during the iS8 series the past May in New York while Wesley Witherspoon spent some time working on his game with Harkless.


“Witherspoon was up here for like two weeks this summer,” said Blue. “They had a workout group with Maurice, Witherspoon and Michael Gilchrist. It was like they were all the same.”


Continuing, Blue said, “We’re going to play it out, play out this summer and get out there this summer and see what’s what. He’s a qualifier and a great kid academic wise.”


Lacey Visits Auburn


Reported here last week, Trevor Lacey (2011 G) took an unofficial visit to the University of Auburn and then attended the Derron Williams point guard camp in late June. Lacey toured the new Auburn facilities and got a pitch from head coach Tony Barbee. Lacey will pack his bags and head to the Lebron James Skills Academy at the beginning of next week followed by the Peach Jam in Augusta, SC.


The Recruiting Circus of Chris Hill


According to a recent interview with 2010 forward Chris Hill, the University of Memphis is to host Hill for a official visit in July.  Despite Hill’s comments and the interview, sources say there is no visit planned to the Bluff City and probably never will be. Hill does not appear to be a legitimate possible addition to the Tigers.


Kedren Johnson Down to Four


Kedren Johnson, a 6′4″ point guard for the class of 2011, has narrowed his list down to four colleges. Johnson’s new list consists of Alabama, Florida, Memphis, and Vanderbilt.


“It’s somewhat even,” Johnson told Chip Cirillo of The Tennessean.


The colleges that did not make the cut were Tennessee, Georgia Tech, and Louisville.  The powerful point guard also told The Tennessean that he plans on attending Alabama and Florida’s elite camps. For more on Johnson’s new college list, check out the article here: LINK


Other Recruiting Tidbits


- Archie Goodwin (2012 G) visited took an unofficial visit to Memphis last weekend. For more on Goodwin, check out Brooks Hansen’s audio interview with him here: LINK

The final four teams on Sunday competing for the championship were the Atlanta Celtics, Georgia Stars, Memphis Magic and Minnesota Pump’n Run. The Stars and the Pump’n Run advanced to the championship game where the Stars, led by junior shooting guard Malcolm Brogdon’s (Atlanta/Greater Atlanta Christian) 16 points, defeated Pump’n Run 79 – 71.

MEMPHIS ROAR’S SCOUTING REPORT

Kentavious Caldwell (GA Blazers – 6′5″)- Caldwell shot the ball really well this weekend. Despite being a SG, he brought the ball up many times for his team. He finishes well in transition. Finishes with contact and got to the rim at ease many times. Specifically mentioned Clemson, Florida State, Alabama, Georgia, and Oklahoma State.

Chris Coleman (Franchise All-Stars - 6’10 270lbs)- Has great size and dominance when in the game. Coleman collected many offensive rebounds and used his size to gain good positioning down low.

DeAngelo Harrison (Franchise All-Stars - 6’3” 180lbs)- Harrison might have raised his stock the most this tournament, and his team didn’t even make it to the quarterfinals.  He impressed many with his smooth style of play and the way he can offensively take over a game.  Harrison got to the basket quickly and easily in both transition and in a half court offense. In his final game, Harrison finished with 50 points.  He can make you pay if guarded loosely, as he also has a nice outside shot. After this weekend’s performances, Harrison should have his fair share of high major schools to choose from.

Josiah Moore (World Wide Renegades - 6’5” 205lbs - G/SF)- Moore possesses great length and a variety of tools which can make him hard to defend.  He excels at driving past his defender and getting to the rack but can also pull up and knock down the occasional 15-footer. Moore knocked down some open three-pointers but will need to work on his range for the next level. Moore crashed the offensive glass hard this weekend, which resulted in many second chance opportunities for the World Wide Renegades.

Alex Poythress (Nashville Celtics - 6’7” 215 lbs - SF)- Poythress has a tremendous amount of potential and skill for his age.  He has great size and length which could be seen numerous times on the offensive and defensive glass.  Poythress is very athletic and can be seen often on the offensive side of the ball dunking in a missed shot from a teammate.  He also did not seem afraid of contact down low and can take his man off the dribble because of exceptional ball handling for his position. Poythress needs to work on putting together a complete game and hustling on both ends of the court. He had a tendency to take plays off, especially when the opposing team was in transition.

Trevor Lacey (Atlanta Celtics)- Lacey showed why he is one of the best players at his position this weekend with his ability to get to the basket at will.  Although he isn’t the fastest player on the team, Lacey finds ways to take his defender off the dribble to get to the rim, or will pull up for a jumper.  He has great touch and caused the defense fits all weekend. Lacey almost always has a high field goal percentage because he picks and chooses where and when to shoot the ball. Unlike most shooting guards, Lacey doesn’t rush things and could probably benefit by taking more shots. Quickness is an area that he should work on, along with toning some of the muscle he has added since his knee injury this past year.

Anthony Norris (6′7″ 205lbs - Franchise All-Stars)- Norris didn’t make a lot of noise this weekend, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.  Despite not racking up lots of points in the tournament, he did a lot of the dirty work that helped his team win close games. Norris made himself comfortable down low, setting numerous screens and fighting for rebounds.  Norris has the ability to sky above the rim, especially on offensive rebounding situations, sometimes finishing with exciting put-back dunks.  Norris can seem lost at times on the court, and the chemistry with the whole team didn’t appear to benefit his game. 

Adonis Thomas (6′6″ SF Memphis Magic Elite)- Thomas was simply the best college prospect on the floor this tournament. He can get it done in just about every area and has a high enough IQ to be able to adapt to different defenses and plays.  One of Thomas’ flaws last year was his inability to maintain a high level of play all game long. This resulted in him disappearing on the court and not contributing much on offense. Another knock on his game was his inconsistency on mid-range jumpers.  So far this summer, these perceptions have been disproved as Thomas has played at an extremely high level and his mid-range game, at times, can seem unstoppable. Thomas is no longer an undersized 4, but a legitimate 3 position guard, possibly the best in the nation for that position. Only in one game this weekend did Thomas have a “bad” game, and with all the games the Magic played, that’s an accomplishment. From footwork to athleticism, Thomas has the tools to be a game-changer at the next level. One area Thomas will need to work on is his outside shot. Now that the mid-range game has shown drastic improvements, the next step is to consistently knock down the three-point shot.

Nino Johnson (Memphis Magic Elite)- Johnson had a solid weekend, grabbing rebounds and throwing down some emphatic dunks. His stock continues to rise and he will definitely be someone to keep an eye on as the summer AAU season progresses.  Johnson thrives in the fast pace offense that the Magic runs and few people have been able to keep him away from the rim. Johnson will need to master some back-to-the-basket moves and take his defender consistently off of the post-up.

Chris Jones (Memphis Magic Elite)- Jones struggled some this weekend, and there could be a few reasons for that.  First, Jones’ back up, Cameron Golden, did not make the trip due to disciplinary reasons.  This forced Jones to play more minutes then he regularly does. Another problem this weekend was that Jones’ outside shot was not falling for him. Now, Jones is possibly one the best scoring point guards in the nation, so this is not a usual problem for him. For whatever reason, getting the ball to the rim and scoring, or knocking down open three pointers, just didn’t happen for him. The refereeing in a few of the games allowed very physical play, frustrating Jones and taking the Magic out of there up and down tempo.  Jones did display great crossovers and was able to break down his defender very well.  One area Jones needs to work on is not letting the officiating or play calling affect his game.

Kevin Ware (Atlanta Celtics)- Ware showed great improvement from when we watched him at the String Music Showcase in Nashville, Tenn. With Lacey on the team all weekend, Ware was able to feed off having another reliable guard in the backcourt. Ware displayed some impressive athleticism at times, getting to the basket and finishing on the break.  Ware needs to work on passing and not holding on to the ball too long on offense.  There were many times where Ware missed open teammates or didn’t get the offense going by making a swing pass, when it was needed. Overall, Ware is simply a run and jump athlete with a lot of room for skill development.

Malcom Brogdon (GA Stars)- Brogdon showed great scoring ability all weekend long. He attacked constantly off the dribble and has a jump shot that compliments his offensive scoring abilities. He averaged around 20 points per game for the weekend and rattled off 27 points in a victory over the Memphis Magic Elite in the semifinals.  Brogdon has serious potential and skill to be a high major player and should be hearing from a lot more schools after this past weekend’s performance.

Roosevelt Scott (MN Pump and Run)- Scott was the heartbreaker for many Atlanta Celtics fans in attendance for the semifinal game between the MN Pump and Run verse the Celtics.  Scott nailed crucial three pointers to edge past the hometown team and thrived under the pressure. He finished with 17 points against the Celtics and was very influential in the win.  Scott would not back down all weekend long, especially when the games got tight.  He has a high motor and applies it on both ends of the court.  He used his length to force tough shots for opponents and create turnovers, leading to many fast-break opportunities. Scott needs to work on consistency with his shot and going hard for the entire game. Scott is another player to keep an eye on, as he is sure to gain many high major offers of the course of the summer if his play keeps up.

Houston Hoops point guard L.J. Rose unselfish on and off the court.

By Peyton Merriam

Special to ESPN.com

Sophomore L.J. Rose has a side to him that not many people have the opportunity to see. Rose, the No. 4 player overall in ESPNU’s Terrific 25 for 2012, is as dedicated to his community and family as he is dedicated to basketball. His motivation to succeed comes from the support and encouragement of his family and others around him.

L.J.’s unselfishness and generosity are apparent both on and off the court.

On the court, Rose is a 6-foot-4 point guard with excellent ball-handling skills and an uncanny passing ability. He possesses a high basketball IQ and gets everyone on the floor involved.

“People love playing with him because they know they are going to get the ball, not only where they want it at, but where they need it,” L.J.’s AAU coach, Marland Lowe of Houston Hoops, said. “He makes everyone around him better.”

Read the full feature by Memphis Roar’s Peyton Merriam here on ESPN.com.

Photos are part 2 of 3 from Day 2’s action (4/24/10).

String Music Showcase Day 2 (Part II)

String Music Showcase in Franklin, Tenn.

56 Photos

 

Photos are from Day 2’s action (4/24/10)

String Music Showcase Day 2 (Part I)

String Music Showcase in Franklin, Tenn.

56 Photos

 

#1 Adonis Thomas, #3 Chris Jones, #4 Martavious Newby, #5 Cameron Golden, #9 Nino Johnson, #13 Marvin Williams

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

It wasn’t spring break, there wasn’t a ten-car pile-up on Interstate 40, finals were still ten weeks away, and the team wasn’t bad.  In fact, Memphis was in second place in its conference and fighting to make the NCAA tournament.

Despite the low turnouts, there remains an energetic band and a small contingent of undergraduates behind the basketball goal for every game. Unless a top-25 team visits the Forum, encouraging student participation can be an uphill battle.

“It’s been extremely hard getting people to show up to these basketball games,” Nick Eubanks said.  Eubanks is currently the president of the Blue Crew, the school’s largest student organization.  The Blue Crew consists of students whose main focus is student involvement at sporting events. The group has exclusive rights to the first ten rows behind the basketball goal, right beside the university’s pep band.

“We’re always there,” Eubanks said. “We’re starting the chants or with the band when they start the chants.  We just keep the students involved and not sitting down and bored.”  Eubanks said that, although there are over 300 people in the group, numbers are down this year.

Call it apathy, laziness or complacency, but the lack of enthusiasm from most of the students is why the Blue Crew adopted the slogan “Stand Up or Go Home” in 2004 when it was founded. “If you can stand in line at the club, you can stand up for 40 minutes at a basketball and cheer on your school,” Eubanks said.

The “Stand Up or Go Home” motto took a hiatus for the last few years, but former Blue Crew president Daniel Cox said the slogan could make a comeback next year.

“’Stand Up or Go Home’ was the very first motto Blue Crew ever had on their shirts,” Cox said. “It was representative of if you’re going to come to the games, you need to be standing up cheering the loudest you can, and just being behind your team, no matter win or loss. And if you’re not doing that, then just go on home because we don’t need you here.”

Although the Blue Crew is a student organization, there is an annual $30 fee.  However, the fee this year has covered two

The Blue Crew took around 50 students to UAB this year.

shirts, a bus trip and ticket to the football game at MTSU, a bus trip and ticket to the basketball game in St. Louis against Kansas, and a bus trip and ticket to the basketball game at UAB.  If the Tigers had made the NCAA Tournament this year, lodging and food would have been the only costs for members.  In addition, all participants are guaranteed a seat close to the action at athletic events and a chance to meet many fellow Tiger fans.

“I think the sport brings everyone together,” said Wes Caouette, a freshman and Blue Crew member. “I’ve made a ton of friends already and I knew nobody coming in.”

Whether it’s making new friends or yelling until your voice is gone, the Blue Crew offers a unique experience for students.  With the consensus number-one-ranked recruiting class coming in next year, the only direction student involvement can go is up.

Incoming players know the importance of a solid campus backing.  Joe Jackson, an elite point guard who has signed to play with the Tigers next year, said in an interview that one of the reasons he chose to play at Memphis was the love and encouragement from the city.  Will Barton, another 2010 signee, mentioned that he felt “comfortable” when he visited campus last summer.

Whether you are a twenty-five year season ticket holder, a member of the Blue Crew, or just a student, attention to participation will be influential.

“We want a national championship and we need [students’] support,” Jackson said.

Click here to view the embedded video.