Re: what players from Illinois will be in NBA? -- Chicago Hoops

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Subject: Re: what players from Illinois will be in NBA?

Author:
Voice of Reason

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Date Posted: 10:15:39 10/27/03 Mon
In reply to: guessing 's message, "Re: what players from Illinois will be in NBA?" on 12:58:03 10/12/03 Sun

Apparently the consensus among in-state and national hs bb �talent evaluators� is that Shaun Pruitt is clearly a top 100 prospect nationally. This is indisputable as seen in EVERY college bb preview mag listing SP as top 100 (including a nice 3/4 page feature photo in Sporting News �High School Hoops� mag). Obviously SP did not perform in the �Elite quadrant� (top 25 national players) this summer. This was �disappointing� to some evaluators since Bob Gibbons had set the expectation in April that SP would be a top 15-20 player. Maybe a fully healthy SP would have lived up to expectations? His �stock� has settled into the �3 rd tier� of top 75 players and w/a solid season SP could very well move up to top 40-50, perhaps high enough to get consideration for some level of national post season showcase events � obviously not McDonalds � those slots a pretty much chosen already.

More importantly, the �professional evaluators� (college head coaches) did notice that SP seemed to be favoring his leg at Nike and other national events after several days of continuous play. However, that did NOT deter them from hotly pursuing SP all summer. The size, skills and potential are still there even if the explosiveness was deterred by slow recovery from what many have called a �devastating� injury. Those who would down play SP�s injury as �an excuse� � lets see how well you�d move after having your �jumping leg� immobilized in a cast for 3 solid months! That�s what the college coaches see. Are we on this forum any smarter? If so we�d be too busy spending those $Million salaries than to chat on this board � especially to over criticize hs student athletes! And w/the work that SP has been putting in since August, the explosion will be there this season.

There are definite size and skill level similarities to Brian Cook. As some have said BC was a different athlete, perhaps more athletic at 17-18, certainly less hampered by injury, but also not nearly as strong or willing to go inside a mix it up as SP is right now. As a frosh next year at ILL, SP will probably be as strong as BC was as a jr! As he continues lifting through the season, next spring and especially in summer school at UI next summer � SP will probably be closer to 240 by the official start of his frosh year. That�s 40lbs more muscle than Powell, Randel and Carter were as frosh � and at least 20-25lbs more than Cook & Augstine as frosh. From a strength standpoint SP will be one of the most prepared bigs to step on UI�s campus in years. Will he have to step up to college level conditioning � of course � and learn more complex level of plays, etc. But at least he�s putting forth every effort to be prepared � and that�s what really counts.

For those that dare say SP hasn�t improved in 2 years � come on � give it a rest. SP has completely transformed from a lanky 6�7 180lb soph, receiving moderate recruiting attention at best, who was no where near ready for the physical aspect of D1 ball (not to mention the B10) - to a solid 6�9 230lb legit top 70 prospect (according to all the experts). SP will be ready to step into a high major D1 program and fight for minutes while he learns the game at that level. Granted his development on this level may take a year or two � but by his jr. year his combination of size, strength and skill will make him a solid B10 player w/the �potential� for some level of professional career as he continues to develop through 4 years of high major college ball. No one said he was a �lottery pick�, those are usually your �phenoms� w/�freaky� athletic skills like a Carmello or Darius, etc. Rather SP has been compared to players that needed a full 4 years to develop, like a Cook or David West.

Good luck SP, have a great season. And Know that there are more people for you and who appreciate your game on this board and throughout the state (and nationally) than the few who have nothing better to do than voice their negative and mostly unknowledgeable, unintelligent opinions.

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Subject	Author	Date
Re: what players from Illinois will be in NBA?	EXCELLENT POST (NM)!!!!!!	09:05:27 10/31/03 Fri