Available High School Backcourt Talent

Evans, Riley and Hopson lead the charge into the April signing period

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Feb. 19, 2008

By Van Coleman

CSTV.com & Hoopmasters.com

 

VAN COLEMAN
Van is one of the nation's premier recruiting experts.
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There is still a number of high school backcourt talent available led by Tyreke Evans, Freddie Riley and Scotty Hopson heading into the stretch run of the April signing period.

 

There are a number of backcourt talent who can help schools next fall that are still available to sign this spring. A couple made recent decisions as Scottie Haralson committed to Connecticut, New Mexico State added two prep school talents in Terrance Joyner and Faisel Aiden and Houston vs. The Nation surprise Jesse Sanders is staying close to home at Rice. But there still a number of quality talent still on the board.

 

With that in mind, here's a look at some of the top high school backcourt talent before the recruiting scene starts to heat up as we get closer to that April 9 signing date.

 

Top Available Backcourt Talent (Listed by Height)

 

Scotty Hopson 6-foot-6 SG Hopkinsville University (Ky.) - This explosive wing man re-opened his recruiting profile this winter after committing to Mississippi State. He can score with highlights at the rim and is developing into solid perimeter threat with his jumper. He has NBA potential, but first is considering Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Mississippi State as college destinations.

 

Freddie Riley 6-foot-5 SG Ocala Vanguard (Fla.) - This gifted athlete can create highlights at the rim, off the dribble or knock down jumper from around the arc. Academics are coming in line. His schools include Baylor, Kansas State, and Florida Atlantic, but he's close to qualifying and is wide open to new suitors.

 

B.J. Monteiro 6-foot-5 SG Waterbury Crosby (Conn.) - This solid shooting wing has started to gather interest this winter. His schools include George Mason, Duquesne, Northeastern, Penn State, Fordham, St. Bonaventure and Saint Joseph's.

 

Quincy Roberts 6-foot-5 SG Harrisburg (Penn.) - This athletic wing can pop an open jumper from the perimeter and has the quicks and handle to break you down and then attack the basket. His list of schools includes Penn State, Pittsburgh, Duquesne, George Mason, Delaware and Arizona State.

 

Tyreke Evans 6-foot-4 SG Aston American Christian (Penn.) - The nation's top available guard has had some huge games but has been plagued with some nagging ankle problems the last month. He struggled at Primetime because of a bad wheel. His final list of schools includes Memphis, Louisville, Texas, Villanova and Connecticut.

 

Chris Babb 6-foot-4 SG Arlington Oakridge (Tex.) - This former New Mexico commit can stroke perimeter jumper or create dribble drive on the wing. He has the athleticism to become good defender. His current list of schools includes Iowa State, Bradley, Iowa, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, Kansas State and Texas Tech.

 

Justin Watts 6-foot-4 SG Durham C.E. Jordan (N.C.) - This long and lean wing can knock down jumper from three or off dribble on the move.  He has handle to create drive too. His schools include Illinois, Temple, Virginia, George Mason, Penn State and East Carolina.

 

Antiquawn Beckham 6-foot-4 CG New Hampton School (N.H.) - Long and lanky combo can play both spots in the backcourt. He has ability to handle with both hands and finishes in traffic or can make kick-out pass. His list of schools include Wichita State, Creighton, UNI, UAB, Penn State, St. John's, South Florida, Fresno State, Tulsa and Virginia.

 

Sean Kilpatrick 6-foot-4 SG White Plains (N.Y.) - This sweet shooting wing man averages over 25 points an outing and hits 40 percent from beyond the arc. He can finish drive in traffic and has handle to help bring it up the court.  His list of schools includes St. John's, George Washington, Seton Hall, Cincinnati, Kansas State and Xavier.

 

Gerardo Suero 6-foot-4 SG Centerreach Our Savior New American (N.Y.) - This high scoring wing is averaging 31 points a game for OSNA. He can stoke open jumper and finishes with surprising efficiency in traffic. His list of schools includes Pittsburgh, St. John's, Syracuse and DePaul at this point.

 

Devon Moore 6-foot-4 SG Columbus Northland (Oh.) - This lanky combo can knock down the three or attack hoop off the dribble. He has good hops and can finish with a flush. His list of schools includes Penn State, Providence, Vanderbilt, West Virginia and Ohio State.

 

Verdell Jones 6-foot-4 PG Champaign Central (Ill.) - One of the top available point guards in country can flat out deliver rock off the dribble and can knock down jumper from perimeter to set it all up. He's a pass first point who has interest from Minnesota, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Illinois, Kansas, Tennessee, Oregon and Southern Illinois.

 

Dion Dixon 6-foot-3 175 SG Chicago Crane Tech (Ill.) - This high-scoring wing talent has been putting up 28 points an outing this winter. He can knock down the three with regularity and explode to the hoop with either hand. His schools include Indiana, Marquette, Cincinnati, Wyoming, UAB, Iowa, Iowa State, Kentucky and Ohio State.

 

Kyle Fogg 6-foot-3 SG Brea (S.C.) - Fast rising wing scorer has gotten noticed of late, averaging close to 25 points an outing and pulling down almost 10 rebounds a game. This thin wing has a huge upside as well. His list of schools includes UNLV, Arizona State, Santa Clara and UC Santa Barbara, but is still wide open.

 

Jorge Gutierrez 6-foot-3 CG Henderson Findlay Prep (Nev.) - He has really burst onto the national scene this winter. He is very strong finisher who has shown he can pass it to open man or finish with either hand. He can knock down open jumper, too. His school includes Rhode Island, UTEP, Purdue, Minnesota, South Carolina, UNLV, West Virginia, Saint Louis, Providence, Penn State, Fresno State, Colorado State and Hawai'i.

 

Quentin Dailey 6-foot-3 CG Las Vegas Bishop Gorman - This Athletic Vegas combo has really developed into a solid combo guard over the past year. He can still score off the dribble or with perimeter jumper but looks to pass it to open man too. His list of schools includes Gonzaga, Michigan, Iowa, Iowa State, Oregon, Oregon State, Pepperdine and UNLV.

 

Brandon Romain 6-foot-3 SG Brooklyn Boys & Girls (N.Y.) - This physical wing scorer opened our eyes to his ability score and defend at the Beach Ball Classic. His schools include Rhode Island, UNLV, Massachusetts and St. Bonaventure, but he's still open.

 

Clayton Sterling 6-foot-2 CG Brooklyn Boys & Girls (N.Y.) - Active combo formed a physical backcourt with Romain. He can deliver rock or score off the dribble. His schools include South Florida, Hofstra, St. Bonaventure, Tulane, Farleigh Dickinson, Boston University, Central Connecticut and Quinnipiac.

 

Patrick McCollum 6-foot-2 CG Tacoma Mount Tahoma (Wash.) - This quick and athletic combo is averaging 25 points and 10 assists this winter. He is a solid passer who can knock down three or explode to hoop off the dribble.  His list of schools includes UNLV, Washington State, Washington, UCLA, Arizona and San Francisco.

 

Dale Hughes 6-foot-2 CG Columbus New Hope (Miss.) - He really blew up at the City of Palms Classic, where he showed he can play either guard spot and can score off the dribble or knock down jumper from arc. He knows how to get ball to big man on blocks. His list of schools includes South Alabama, Southern Miss and Middle Tennessee State, but he's still wide open.

 

Shaquille Johnson 6-foot-2 CG Jacksonville Lee (Fla.) - Strong and physical combo can score off the dribble or find open man with pass. He has really improved his consistency from around the arc. His list of schools include Jacksonville, Tulane, Virginia Tech, Minnesota, Marshall, South Florida, Illinois, Missouri and Dayton.

 

Oscar Bellfield 6-foot-2 CG Los Angeles Westchester (Calif.) - This strong combo can flat out finish in traffic and sets up drive with solid perimeter jumper. He has really worked on ability to pass the rock in transition or off the dribble. The ability to play both backcourt spots has drawn interest from Oregon State, San Diego State, UNLV, Utah, California, Nevada, Washington and Washington State.

 

Rahshon Tabb 6-foot-1 CG Niagara Falls (N.Y.) - This scoring combo has ability to break down defender off the dribble and finish in traffic. He's hearing from a variety of schools that includes Providence, Duquesne, Penn State, Buffalo, Niagara, Rhode Island, Hampton and Canisius.

 

Darius Johnson-Odom 6-foot-1 PG Lenoir Patterson School (N.C.) - This quick combo can explode off the dribble and finish with a highlight flush in traffic or knock down jumper off the dribble inside the arc. He's really improved his ability to pass the rock. He's hearing from VCU, College of Charleston, William & Mary, Bradley, Iowa State and Wake Forest.

 

Cardell McFarland 6-foot PG North Bridgton Bridgeton Academy (Me.) - This solid floor leader has good quicks, can deliver the rock in transition, or set up penetration with solid perimeter jumper. His list of schools includes Purdue, Middle Tennessee State, Iowa, Western Kentucky and North Texas but is still open.

 

Other High School Backcourt Talent to Watch:

 

Tyler Portwood 6-foot-5 SG Georgetown Scott County (Ky.)

Donald Stewart 6-foot-5 SG Champaign Central (Ill.)

Chris Turner 6-foot-5 SG Humble Christian Life (Tex.)

Wendell Lee 6-foot-5 SG Los Angeles Washington (Calif.)

Corey Pearson 6-foot-5 SG Kalamazoo Central (Mich.)

Corey Law 6-foot-4 SG Chesapeake Deep Creek (Va.)

Ryan Kelley 6-foot-4 SG Pomona Diamond Ranch (Calif.)

Ebuka Anyaorah 6-foot-4 SG Suwanee North Gwinnett (Ga.)

Kyle Cassity 6-foot-4 SG Pinckneyville (Ill.)

Jimmy Gunville 6-foot-4 SG Tilton School (N.H.)

Stacey Waters 6-foot-4 SG North Bridgton Bridgeton Academy (Me.)

Kevon Moore 6-foot-3 SG Rockville Montrose Christian (Md.)

Ron Waller 6-foot-3 SG Webster Groves (Mo.)

Bryce Smith 6-foot-3 SG Woodland Hills Taft (Calif.)

Terrence Burke 6-foot-3 SG Hyattsville Northwestern (Md.)

Tyshawn Edmundson 6-foot-3 CG Hopkinsville, KY University Heights

Bud Mackey 6-foot-3 CG Cincinnati Harmony Community (Oh.)

Jordan Higginbotham 6-foot-3 PG Lancaster (Calif.)

Byron Freeman 6-foot-2 SG Manhasset St. Mary's (N.Y.)

Daniel West 6-foot-2 SG Saginaw (Mich.)

Isaac Sosa 6-foot-2 SG Boca Raton Grandview Prep (Fla.)

DeAndre Kane 6-foot-2 SG Pittsburgh Schenley (Penn.)

Lashay Page 6-foot-2 CG Dillon (S.C.)

Devon Manning 6-foot-2 PG Pueblo Central (Colo.)

Dominique Lane 6-foot-2 CG Kansas City Northeast (Mo.)

Lorne Jackson 6-foot-1 CG Simi Valley (Calif.)

Marcus Wright 6-foot-1 PG Winston Salem Prep (N.C.)

Marcus Williams 6-foot-1 PG Rio Rancho (N.M.)

Holton Hunsaker 6-foot PG Woods Cross (Ut.)

Kramer Soderberg 6-foot PG St. Charles West (Mo.)

Adam Raye 5-foot-11 PG Charlotte United Faith Christian Academy (N.C.)

Darren Hobbs 5-foot-11 PG St. Louis Gateway (Mo.)

Quasim Pugh 5-foot-10 PG Worcester Academy (Mass.)

 

Up next, we will bring you an update of the nation's top available junior college perimeter talent, and then we'll move on to the top sophomores from the Class of 2010 right here at "Generation Next."

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