Villanova Basketball Recruiting Class of 2011
Former Michigan State Guard Dwaun Anderson Will Visit Villanova
Earlier today, Alex Kline tweeted that former Michigan State guard Dwaun Anderson will visit Villanova in the coming weeks. As we know, Villanova's Hoops Mania is being held on Friday, October 21st, and with no other visits planned for that date yet, so it looks like Anderson may be a potential visitor since he may be looking to make a commitment by the end of October.
Anderson originally enrolled at Michigan State over the summer as a class of 2011 target, but following the death of his mother in the spring, Anderson decided that he wasn't yet ready to be in college. He released the following statement, and was given his release by Michigan State.
"The last two years have been a very rough time for me as I’ve had to deal with some personal tragedies, including the sickness and death of my mother. I’ve been in counseling as I attempt to cope with these issues, and I plan to undergo further counseling. I want to get all my personal issues in order before moving on to the next stage of my life. I loved being on campus this summer, getting to know and spend time with my teammates and a lot of other great people, but it also made me realize that I need to get some other things together before dealing with the pressures that come with being a college basketball player."
Anderson was a very underrated player coming out of high school who hit the radar late, finishing up as the 95th best prospect nationally as ranked by Rivals.
With 5 players entering this year with at least 4 years of eligibility left, I'm not sure we're in the market for another wing (a crowded position on the team), but after the transfer of Isaiah Armwood and the knee surgery for Dallas Ouano, 'Nova is running a couple of players short. It's thought Anderson would be able to play in the second semester of the current year should he enroll at a new school.
Highlights of Anderson are after The Jump.
Villanova Basketball Is Depressing: Can You Come Up With A Better Depressing Story?
I really just don't have much else to say about last night's game. I'm depressed. This team is depressing. This whole season makes me want to never watch basketball again.
I'm a diehard New York Mets fan, and the collapses of the past few seasons don't even compare with what I've been watching I feel like.
So for today's open thread - let us know an experience as a fan in sports that is more depressing than this. Because I can't think of one.
Highlights: Markus Kennedy & Brewster Academy
2011 Villanova Wildcats signee Markus Kennedy and his Brewster Academy teammates won the Brewster Invitational this past weekend by registering wins over MCI in the semifinals and #3 Notre Dame Prep in the finals.
Kennedy had 19 points and 12 rebounds in the semifinal, before recording 12 points in the final. Highlights of both games below!
...And I love how he warms up in a Villanova tee!...
74-72 win over MCI
81-73 win over #3 Notre Dame Prep
Villanova Receives 4 National Letters of Intent For 2011 Basketball Class
The Villanova Wildcats and Coach Jay Wright have announced the signatures of all 4 members their 2011 recruiting class. Tyrone Johnson, Markus Kennedy, Achraf Yacoubou, and Darrun Hilliard have all faxed in their intent to join Villanova next fall.
When the last set of recruiting rankings came out, this class was a consensus Top 25 selection. From more info on each prospect, check out our recruiting profiles down the left-hand sidebar.
"Our staff is very excited about this class," stated Wildcats head coach Jay Wright. "Each one of these young men brings great talent, character and commitment to our program and we're thrilled to have them join our Villanova Basketball Family."
For Jay Wright's comments on each new Wildcat, continue on past The Jump.
Darrun Hilliard Commits To 'Nova!
2011 G Darrun Hilliard has committed to Villanova at a press conference at his high school! Hilliard becomes the 4th member of Jay Wright's 2011 class, joining PG Tyrone Johnson, SG Achraf Yacoubou and PF Markus Kennedy.
Hilliard, out of Liberty High School in Bethlehem, PA, is a 6'4" lefty whose stock is quickly rising. Scouts have talked about his high basketball IQ, superior shooting ability and passion for the game being his biggest strengths.
Welcome to the 'Nova family Darrun!
To quote the great Bill Raftery..."Why the lefties look so pretty, it's amazing!"
Basketball Recruiting Chatter
The recent committment of 2011 PG Tyrone Johnson got me over the Michael Gilchrist hangover and got me re-involved in 'Nova recruiting for the upcoming 2011 and 2012 cycles. As a quick recap to those who aren't aware of what's already happened:
- 2010 F Markus Kennedy has decided to take a PG year and will become a part of the 2011 class.
- 2011 SG Achraf Yacoubou has verbally committed to Villanova.
- 2011 PG Tyrone Johnson has verbally committed to Villanova.
Speaking of Johnson, he had a massive game at The Peach Jam in North August, South Carolina, throwing up 40 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists.
2012 target Omar Calhoun of Christ The King in New York was also on display in SC, and had a solid game with 22 points on 8-19 shooting. Calhoun was also recently featured in The New York Post, having some good things to say regarding Villanova:
Calhoun plans to cut down his list to between five and eight after his junior year. He doesn’t have any favorites, but he has developed close bonds with the coaching staffs from Villanova, Pittsburgh and Louisville. The head coaches, however, haven't seen Calhoun play in awhile, because of in-season duties. They will shortly.
Desmond Hubert and Myles Davis are some more names that will continue to come up on Villanova's radar. Davis is considered one of the best pure shooters of the last few years, and Hubert is an athletic big man with a ton of upside.
Hubert and Davis are both liking what they hear from Villanova, with Hubert putting Villanova in his Top 2 along with Pittsburgh, and Davis having great things to say about Villanova s well.
I've read a lot about all 3 of the targets mentioned here. I'd be thrilled to land Hubert in this cycle, and it sounds like he and Davis could potentially be a package deal. That'd make for a great 2011 class, although extremely guard heavy.
Tyrone Johnson commits to 'Nova!
Courtesy of Adam Zagoria and SNY
Heads up, this news is a little late. Johnson's commitment actually occurred on Saturday, but I was a bit, uh, indisposed this weekend with the holiday, as I'm sure most of you were. So that's why we're few days late with this. No worries though Tyrone, bring us a title and we'll call it even!
2011 Point Guard Tyrone Johnson of Plainfield, NJ has committed to Jay Wright and the Villanova Wildcats! Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog has the story on the 2nd (3rd if you remember Markus Kennedy is taking a PG year) committment in Villanova's 2011 class. Johnson chose the Cats over the Georgetown Hoyas and Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
Johnson is ranked the 50th best player in the Rivals150 for 2011, and at 6'3", will represent a step-up in height in Villanova's backcourt.
For Tyrone's thoughts on joining Villanova, as well as good-friend and future teammate Achraf Yacoubou, see you after the jump.
Cory Joseph to Texas
In what was really the last story to follow this recruiting period, PG Cory Joseph has decided to play for Texas next year according to Adam Zagoria's Twitter. Joseph, who played for powerhouse Findlay Prep in Las Vegas, was thought to be down to the Villanova Wildcats and Texas Longhorns with a decision coming very soon.
Apparently that decision came this weekend as Joseph has his hearts set on the Longhorns. While this loss isn't the end of the world by any means, it definitely hurts, especially after losing Michael Gilchrist to the Kentucky Wildcats just a couple of weeks ago.
The decision by Joseph leaves Villanova with James Bell and Jayvaughn Pinkston in the Class of 2010. Markus Kennedy and Achraf Yacoubou make up the start of the Class of 2011, with a point guard a must for the next class as Corey Fisher will be leaving. A couple of names to watch out for are Tony Wroten and Quinn Cook.
Make sure to check out VUHoops and Burnt Orange Nation for more coverage on Cory Joseph.
...Tough break...nothing more to say...Jay Wright has his eyes set on Wroten and Cook now for the 2011 PG slot...
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