Unsigned recruit- Deion Lavender

[Da Coach]

Here is an unsigned 2014 recruit from Illinois. He is a scorer and shooter at Alton Marquette HS. Could we use him? If we end up with another open scholarship, I think we could. He currently only has offers from IPFW, SIUE, WIU, and Wofford.-

Deion Lavender of Alton Marquette HS-

http://www.stlamerican.com/sports/athlete_of_the_week/article_b5116f6c-6851-11e3-9b47-001a4bcf887a.html

http://www.chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/2538-deion-lavender-talks-recruiting

http://chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/1706-deion-lavender-talks-wiu-offer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnMCIFk_sBU

http://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/local-sports1/591598/Lavender-lights-up-shootout?template=art_smartphone

[tornado]

I like what I read, and obviously WIU's Coach Mo thinks so, too.
..with only one scholarship left does it go to Macari Brooks or someone else?
Or will we open a couple extra scholarships this spring?

[BU-Bball]

I will be shocked if we don't have 2 open rides in the spring!

[tornado]

you will not be shocked

Here is a kid who is already signed that shows the value of a shooter - a kid named Max Hoetzel - not real well known & not real athletic but Tom Crean went after him...
even though most of his other offers were Boise State, Loyola Marymount, & Pacific...
Wonder why?? He hit 9-11 form the 3-point line in a recent game..

http://www.insidethehall.com/2013/11/27/video-class-of-2014-signee-max-hoetzel/

[egib52]

I know it is tough to recruit. Plus I would believe that it is even tougher to recruit to a team like Bradley, a non-elite "mid-major". If a kid is popular on the AAU circuit or great on his H.S. team he turns his attention to the "major" schools. Even if he isn't tall enough, quick enough, a good enough shooter, the kid still thinks big things because that is what he is told by his peers and family. Unfortunately, with the instant media there are fewer and fewer kids that go unnoticed. Most kids see a bottom level BCS school as greater than a Bradley or ISU. Other kids think they are going to go to an Illinois or maybe even Wichita State and beat someone out. I think that as unpopular as it can be, JUCOs and transfers may be the new wave to build teams. Those kids may have not made grades (JUCO) or learned that they would always get recruited over (transfer) and never get their chance. Its unfortunate that some of the kids don't understand that they could come in to a place like Bradley, and maybe not start right away but walk away like Andrew Warren or Walt Lemon, with the admiration of tons of Bradley fans.

I get tired of reading the back and forth between JL supporters and GF supporters as to which is the better recruiter. I personally wouldn't care who was in charge if we got to the point of Creighton, Gonzaga or Wichita State. I support the Bradley Braves, coaches come and go. I wish I was old enough to have seen the glory years that many of you speak of because I have great pride regarding it, and I didn't get to experience.

Sorry for the long winded message, but my original point was going to be roster composition. A. I think ideally you want class balance so that you never have to bring in a ton of players; its hard enough to find 3 good players in a class 5-6 is impossible. I would love to see a roster that had 6-7 high IQ or shooters, and 5-6 athletic/size players who may not be skilled. If you have high IQ players on the team (Sammy, J Les) they can run the show even if they aren't as athletic or skilled. The shooters are obvious as in today's game threes and ft are critical. JC was not a lights out shooter as freshman, but look how he developed. They athletes add a critical component as they can be game changers with timely dunks, steals or blocks. The size guys follow the old adage regarding you can't teach height. You are going to fail developing these guys from time-to-time, but when you hit (POB) you have something special.

As I lead with, I do not envy recruiting these kids who get hyped into believing they are each going to the NBA. Bradley (no matter how much I wish it was) is not an athletics school. Students don't go to the games, the atmosphere at the games is not exciting, and we aren't winning. If you were a top 150 kid what would you think (those that go)?

I am supportive of Bradley. I think its good be a critical fan, but in the end we all want a winning program.

[Da Coach]

Good message. I agree. I actually don't think we are too far from competing in the MVC with a couple key recruits, but IMO we still need a high-quality shooter or two.

[bradleyfan124]

I agree we are not Duke or North Carolina but we have to at least try. That is the fun part. There is so much parity in hign school athletes these days. Not every good kid can go to Duke. Keep trying to land the good players. Bradley will get players that will develope into good college players and make Bradley competitive.

[LongTimeFan]

Egib52, that is a very good post. Thanks for your thoughts and ideas.

[Da Coach]

High scoring 6'3" 2014 shooting guard Deion Lavender of Alton Marquette HS has received a scholarship offer from Barry Hinson and Southern Illinois, to go along with his 4 other offers (WIU, SIU-E, IPFW, Wofford). Hinson watched last night as Lavender scored 29 points to lead his team to a win. He continues to average over 25 points per game despite facing double and triple teaming every game..

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/high-school/boys-basketball/boys-hoops-lavender-scores-leads-alton-marquette-to-comeback-win/article_75854254-99ea-11e3-bff8-0017a43b2370.html

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/high-school/boys-basketball/lavender-s-points-suffocating-defense-lead-alton-marquette-past-roxana/article_08a0d22e-95db-11e3-9d00-001a4bcf6878.html

[lefty]

High scoring 6'3" 2014 shooting guard Deion Lavender of Alton Marquette HS has received a scholarship offer from Barry Hinson and Southern Illinois, to go along with his 4 other offers (WIU, SIU-E, IPFW, Wofford). Hinson watched last night as Lavender scored 29 points to lead his team to a win. He continues to average over 25 points per game despite facing double and triple teaming every game..

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/high-school/boys-basketball/boys-hoops-lavender-scores-leads-alton-marquette-to-comeback-win/article_75854254-99ea-11e3-bff8-0017a43b2370.html

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/high-...a4bcf6878.html

Deion is a cousin of Micah Lavender who was the PJS small school player of the year and from PCS who was on the state tournament team 10 years ago

[tornado]

The top scorer in D2 junior college basketball - is still uncommitted...

http://www.mlive.com/sports/flint/index.ssf/2014/01/mott_guard_malik_albert_leads.html

He is this current week's National Player of the week in juco ball

http://www.njcaa.org/newsArticle.cfm?articleId=21175

The other guy on that page, freshman Dominic Williams - is also unsigned...
..of the 70 or so other juco kids in Division I and Division II NJCAA, currently averaging over 20 ppg, many if not most are still unsigned

[Da Coach]

High scoring 6'3" 2014 shooting guard Deion Lavender of Alton Marquette HS has received a scholarship offer from Barry Hinson and Southern Illinois, to go along with his 4 other offers (WIU, SIU-E, IPFW, Wofford). Hinson watched last night as Lavender scored 29 points to lead his team to a win. He continues to average over 25 points per game despite facing double and triple teaming every game..

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/high-school/boys-basketball/boys-hoops-lavender-scores-leads-alton-marquette-to-comeback-win/article_75854254-99ea-11e3-bff8-0017a43b2370.html

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/high-...a4bcf6878.html

Deion Lavender will visit SIU this weekend, and it sounds like he might sign with Barry Hinson. He is a pure shooter and scorer, which is what I am hoping we can sign.

[bradleyfan124]

Why would he not want to sign with Bradley? What does he see at Southern that he feels Bradley does not allow?

[Da Coach]

Why would he not want to sign with Bradley? What does he see at Southern that he feels Bradley does not allow?

I do not think Bradley has recruited him. So SIU looks like his best offer right now.

I brought up his name as an example that there are still unsigned kids in Illinois who are great shooters, which we obviously need.

[mrcoachdude]

Deion is a cousin of Micah Lavender who was the PJS small school player of the year and from PCS who was on the state tournament team 10 years ago

Lefty have you seen the pjstar's 10 years ago stuff....every now and then a PCS snippet pops up...