JOSTON THOMAS FAVORING SYRACUSE

Joston Thomas has some unfinished business matters to take care of this July.

"I'm just getting over a knee injury so the AAU season haven't been to well for me so look for a lot better games from me in July," Thomas told the NBE Basketball Report.

The timing couldn't be any better as the college coaches will hit the recruiting trail and Thomas hopes to show them what they have been missing.

Brian Crownover reported on Thomas' play in his Boo Williams Reviews, Part I (NBE Basketball Report) and what he saw was impressive. Thomas battled hard inside on the boards and used his strength to score around the basket. Now, he will look to showcase his strengths when the college coaches are looking.

"The biggest strength I feel like I have is having a big frame (and the) ability to handle the ball as well as shoot it (aS) far as NBA range or off the dribble," Thomas said.

That versatility in a 6-foot-7, 225 lb package certainly has the college coaches intrigued with Thomas. He recently attended the elite camp at West Virginia and counts Maryland, Georgetown, Texas, Syracuse and Florida State, in addition to the Mountaineers as schools of interest. Is anyone standing out in the process at this point?

"My favorites are Syracuse and Texas I must say," Thomas stated.

Thomas will work on getting healthy and getting the attention of college recruiters in the important July evaluation period. The NBE Basketball Report will look to see Thomas in action again and will report back on what we see and who is there watching him perform.

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SYRACUSE TARGET IMPRESSES AT NBA TOP 100 CAMP

June 25, 2008


Ron Bailey reported for the NBE Basketball Report that super recruit Jordan Hamilton, one of the top players in the class of 2009, of Los Angeles (CA) had a great showing at the NBA Top 100 Camp on the University of Virginia campus last week. Here is Ron's scouting report:


Jordan Hamilton – 6’7”, 210 pounds – Okay, one word suffices for Hamilton…WOW, as the junior can do it all offensively, including drive, bring the ball up the floor, and shoot. You see him play, and you know UConn is probably touting him as the next Ray Allen/Rip Hamilton, while Syracuse is evoking the likes of Carmelo Anthony. The kid flat gets it done.

A junior from the Los Angeles area, Hamilton will have to commit to defense more wherever he lands. Expect college to be pit stop for him in route to the pros – Hamilton has big time talent.

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BIG EAST ROSTER UPDATE: SYRACUSE

June 24, 2008


Transfer Alert: Wesley Johnson, 6'7 F from Iowa State

Projected 2008-2009 Roster:

Seniors: Kristof Ongenaet (PF)
Juniors: Paul Harris (G), Arinze Onuaku (BF/C), Eric Devenderf (G), Andy Rautins (G), Wesley Johnson* (F)
Sophomores: Johnny Flynn (PG), Antonio Jardine (G), Richard Jackson (BF), Sean Williams (C)
Freshmen: Kris Joseph (F), James Southerland (F), Mookie Jones (G/F)

* Will sit out 2008-2009 season per NCAA Transfer rules

Syracuse got themselves a real nice addition to the program with the news that Wesley Johnson, the Iowa State Forward, is Transferring to SU (Syracuse Post-Standard).


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When Wesley Johnson informed the staff at Iowa State he was transferring they were not happy with the news. Losing a quality player is very tough and Johnson is definitely, at least, a quality player. As his list of potential destinations grew and was fine-tuned, it was clear that many schools believed he would be making a big impact wherever he ended up. After taking a visit to Syracuse last weekend, Johnson found his next home and decided there was no need to take any additional visits. Johnson also considered West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Ohio State as finalists.

Johnson is a 6'7 combo forward with plenty of length and athleticism, perfect for Jim Boehiem's style of play. His sophomore numbers were a little less than expected after an excellent freshman campaign in the Big 12, but a stress fracture in his foot, which forced him to miss five games and eventually led to an April surgery, took away much of his trademark explosive athletic ability.

As a freshman at Iowa State, the Texas native averaged 12.3 points and 7.9 rebounds. As a sophomore, he contributed 12.4 points a game, but the rebounding total dipped in half, but a lot of that was due to the injuries that had him on the perimeter more than going inside to battle.

The projected 2008-2009 Syracuse roster is now full with 13 players and only one senior. That will make recruiting a little slow for 2009. Players like Eric Devendorf, Jonny Flynn and Paul Harris could be candidates to test professional waters after the next season. The latest we have heard on James Southerland is he is enrolling for this coming season, but other reports leave that as an open item and could push him to the 2009-2010 recruiting class.

Judging by the roster make-up, a point guard could be a viable option with the one scholarship on paper available. Local product Brandon Triche, nephew of former Syracuse player Howard Triche, is a player often connected to the Orange. The Orange also remain rather high on the list of combo forwards Jordan Hamilton, Karron Johnson and Isaiah Armwood. If there was ever a team that seemed to have the market covered with combo forwards, it would be the Orange.

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ELITE 2010 GUARD BRANDON KNIGHT LIKES SYRACUSE

June 24, 2008


Ron Bailey reported for the NBE Basketball Report that super recruit Brandon Knight, one of the top players in the class of 2010, of Pine Crest in Florida may have a soft spot for the Orange. Here is Ron's scouting report from the NBA Top 100 Camp of last week:

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Brandon Knight – 6’3”, 175 pounds (Connecticut, Syracuse) – Hailing from South Florida, this combo guard has long been known by recruitniks nationwide. What’s not as well known is his like of both UConn and Syracuse, which he specifically mentioned. A combo guard that can score by driving and shooting, and a pretty good defender that seemingly never tires, Knight, a junior, has the chance to be scary good.

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TARAN BUIE: TOP 2010 POING GUARD HEARS FROM SU

June 15th represented the first day college coaches could call prospects of the class of 2010. Since that day, the phone of Taran Buie has had Coaches Calling Early and Often (NBE Basketball Report) to express their interest.

Buie, a 6-foot guard out of Bishop Maginn High School in Albany (NY) and standout for the City Rocks AAU program, is a name that has not generated a lot of attention nationally in the media to date. However, judging by the coaches that have reached out to him the first chance they were allowed to, college coaches are VERY aware of his talents.

“This week I’ve talked to Boston College, Notre Dame, Clemson, Rutgers, Cincinnati, Penn State, Miami, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, Virginia, Georgia Tech, Syracuse, Florida, Xavier, West Virginia, Marquette, and Maryland,” Taran Buie relayed to the NBE Basketball Report, doing the best he could to recall all of the coaches that have placed calls to him this week.

According to his high school coach, Rich Hurley, scholarship offers have already been extended by “Maryland, Penn State, Rutgers, Syracuse, Georgia Tech, Boston College, Virginia Tech, Miami, and Fordham.”

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WILL ATTRACTION TO 'MELO SWING KARRON JOHNSON TO SU?

June 17, 2008


Karron Johnson is an Elite 2009 Forward (NBE Basketball Report) who is considered among the best players in the nation in his class. The Mt. Zion Christian Academy product, via Richmond (VA), has the strength and size to play inside and the athletic ability to go outside, much like his favorite player, Carmelo Anthony.

“Because he’s just an animal,” explained Johnson. “I just love the way he plays. He plays in the post, shoots the jumper, goes past you, however you want it.”

With his attraction to 'Melo, it is no surprise that Syracuse is a school he is considering to play his college basketball. With Mt. Zion being located in Durham and his 'dream school' being Duke, the Blue Devils are also a school he is considering as well as Memphis, which has been reported to be his leader at times this spring, but Johnson is not ready to claim a leader or the process over just yet.

“No, I’m wide open right now, anything’s possible right now,” Johnson indicated.

“Well, of course, playing time, and also how the school is academically, and what kind of programs they offer. I would like to take up business of something like that, so programs like that,” Johnson explained on the criteria he will use for a decision.

In addition to Syracuse, Duke and Memphis, schools like Kansas, Georgetown, USC, Seton Hall, Virginia, Miami and Maryland have an interest that is mutual with Johnson.

for now, Johnson will continue to work at improving his game, especially his jump shot to cement his place near the top of the 2009 recruiting class.

For all the latest on the Big East Basketball Conference, be sure to visit the NBE Basketball Report.

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SYRACUSE 2008-2009 SNAPSHOT

June 16, 2008


Head Coach: Jim Boeheim
2007-2008 Record: 21-14 (9-9 Big East) NIT 3rd Quarterfinals

Returning Players:
Eric Devendorf, Junior* (Guard)
Andy Rautins, Junior* (Guard)
Arinze Onuaku, Junior (Center)
Paul Harris, Junior (Guard/Forward)
Johnny Flynn, Sophomore (Guard)
Rick Jackson, Sophomore (Center/Forward)
Antonio Jardine, Sophomore (Guard)
Sean Williams, Sophomore (Center)
Kristof Ongenaet, Senior (Big Forward)

*medical redshirts in 2007-2008

Incoming Players:
Mookie Jones (Guard/Forward)
Kris Joseph (Forward)
James Southerland (Forward)


Open Items/Issues:
Syracuse has been to back-to-back NIT's and have not won an NCAA Tournament game in four seasons, so the Orange will be looking to bounce back in a big way next season. Making their bounce back more difficult is the fact that last season's leading scorer, freshman Donte Greene, has entered the NBA Draft after averaging 17.7 points a game in his lone season as a collegian.

Jim Boehiem will be spending a lot of time away from Syracuse this summer as an assistant on Coach K's USA Olympic team that will compete in the Beijing Olympics. Next year's team will need Eric Devendorf and Andy Rautins to return from knee injuries and add some firepower to the offense that will look to replace Greene.

Summary:
The lack of NCAA Tournament success the last four years is something unheard of in Jim Boeheim's tenure as the Orange head coach. The disturbing thing is, the Orange have had talent, actually plenty of talent, but they have not been able to avoid devastating losses, in and out of the Big East, especially the last two years.

Once again, the 2008-2009 Syracuse line-up has some of the top returning talent in the conference. Jonny Flynn is back to lead the attack at the point guard position after being named co-Big East Rookie of the Year with Pitt's DeJuan Blair. Flynn averaged 16 points and 5 assists a game last season and should quickly mature into one of the best point guards in the nation. He will be helped tremendously by a healthy Eric Devendorf and Andy Rautins to provide some extra ball-handling and scoring threats from the perimeter. Rautins missed the entire season after injuring a knee competing for Team Canada in the summer of 2007. Devendorf only appeared in 10 games last season before blowing out his knee. His experience and 17 point per game average never really was replaced when he went down to the injury.

The return of both Devendorf and Rautins will allow Paul Harris to return to the forward position. Harris still struggles with turnovers and decision making, but the 6'3 Harris led the Orange in rebounding, as well as being among the conference leaders, with 8.2 a game. He also contributed 14.5 points a game on the season.

The front court was think last season and remains a question-mark this season with Arinze Onuaku and Kristof Ongenaet returning and Rick Jackson and Sean Williams the lone returning players off the bench. Onuaku turned into a solid Big East post player last season and is not the typical Orange post player, more of a physical load in the middle, Onuaku is effecient at taking up space and coverting opportunities in the half court game. Ongenaet played important minutes after injuries and defections forced him into the line-up. He definitely had his moments and can be a solid complimentary player, but he does create quite a hold at an important position for the Orange.

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Adding depth is sophomore guard Antonio Jardine and incoming freshmen Mookie Jones, Kris Joseph and James Southerland. Jones is the most hyped of the incoming players, but enters in the winf mix that will likely be handled most by Devendorf and Harris with Rautins providing a perimeter shooting threat behind them. Joseph can help out a little more at the power forward position, so he could find the most opportunity for early time, unless SU goes really small, moving Paul Harris to a power forward position. Southerland looks to be on track to be in uniform next year (there has been some question as to whether he would be an '09 or '10 addition) and is a prospect with a nice shooting touch and size to be very effective in Boehiem's system in the future.

There really is no clear answer for the Orange heading into next season. Once again, they have some very impressive talent. The lack of depth in the front court, especially at power forward is more than just a little concerning, but their talent at every other position has the potential to be above average in the Big East. They can not afford to lose at home to teams like Drexel, Wichita State, Rhode Island, UMass, etc in the pre-conference schedule and hope to get it all back in the Big East. Too many teams are more consistent than the Orange and, despite some great moments the past two seasons, there just weren't enough of them to get them into the NCAA Tournament. With Greene this team had top four talent in the Big East, but wondering if the results would equal that. Without Greene, the talent is probably a few notches less, but they could still achieve a similar level of success. Syracuse fans have heard more than enough of the bubble the last few years to last them an eternity, it looks like they are likely to be hearing more about it this season, too. Of course, their talent could overcome and but the bubble well back into the rearview mirror.

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