10/7/2012 football Edit

Big men stand out at USA basketball minicamp

Eric Bossi

Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting Analyst

COLORADO SPRINGS -- On Saturday, USA Basketball kicked off its 2012 Fall minicamp at the Olympic training facility. Around 45 of the nation's top players from the classes of 2015 and 2016 are in town trying to get a foot in the door for future USA Basketball national teams. The level of play was high, and post players such as Ivan Rabb, Daniel Giddens, Diamond Stone and Harry Giles were among the standouts through the first two workout sessions.

Conditioning key for Rabb and Giddens

It's not as if either Ivan Rabb or Daniel Giddens need any extra advantages over their competition. The sophomore big men are already two of the toughest kids on the block because of their games. On Saturday, their conditioning gave them an extra advantage.

While many of their fellow campers were bending over and tugging on the front of their shorts gasping for air, Rabb and Giddens both looked to be having little trouble adjusting to the pace of play or altitude of the Rocky Mountains.

A 6-foot-8 power forward from Oakland (Calif.) Bishop O'Dowd, Rabb is a springy athlete who runs the floor, has the ability to create one-on-one, and rebounds all over the floor. He also seems to have an endless supply of energy.

"I feel like I was well prepared," Rabb said of his adjustment to the altitude. "A lot of my teammates were saying their chests hurt. I did a lot of running before I got here and I felt pretty good."

Hailing from Atlanta (Ga.) Wheeler, the 6-foot-10 Giddens comes from the other side of the country and plays a different game. More of a center, Giddens is an imposing shot blocker and a physical rebounder, but like Rabb he can really run the floor.

"I run two miles a day, so I feel like I'm in great shape," Giddens told Rivals.com. "That first game my lungs were burning a bit but after that I was alright."

Not surprisingly, both Rabb and Giddens are seeing plenty of early attention. Rabb said that UCLA, Arizona, California, N.C. State, Portland State, Kansas and Stanford have been among those who have been active early in his recruitment. Giddens mentioned offers from Oregon State, Georgia, Ole Miss, Georgia Tech and Maryland to go with attention from North Carolina, Georgetown, Alabama and many others.

Neither has gotten very far into the process of making a decision, and there is no rush. Rabb said he hadn't even thought about it much, while Giddens seemed more concerned with focusing on this weekend.

"I didn't know that there were so many good big men in my class," said Giddens. "The competition here is great. I really like it here and am trying to make the most of it.

Matthews emerging in the Windy City

Last season as a freshman at Chicago (Ill.) St. Rita's and then during the summer, Charles Matthews showed plenty of flashes of brilliance.

Saturday, the 6-foot-4 lead guard really looked like he has taken a step forward with his game. Known as a scorer, Matthews proved to be plenty deadly driving to the rim and hitting pull-up jumpers. However, it was his ability to distribute and play the point at a high level that really stood out.

"I would say that I'm more of a combo guard," said Matthews. "Because I've played up when I'm younger, they've had me score where I'm comfortable. Now, my coach is putting me more at the point and really letting me handle the ball."

So far so good as the sophomore looks very comfortable with the ball in his hands while he runs a team. Not only is he skilled, but Matthews is also a high-level athlete with a tremendous first step and plenty of burst getting to the rim.

According to Matthews, he already has offers from DePaul, Providence, Arizona, SMU and Illinois. Kansas, Ohio State, Northwestern, Missouri, Tennessee, Purdue and Michigan State have all been shown interest as well.