Nations top player hoping to trim list
The best player in the class of 2015, Malik Newman could commit to pretty much any program he chooses to and at any time. With people coming at him left and right, though, Newman has managed to keep his recruitment low key but he's starting to have some thoughts about when he would like to narrow things down and who else he might like to play with.
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A 6-foot-4 combo guard out of Jackson (Miss.) Callaway, Newman has proven himself time and again as an explosive scorer. In college, he's hoping to team up with five-star big man Diamond Stone if at all possible.
"He's like a big brother to me," Newman told Rivals.com. "He's one of the top players in the country and I'm one of the top players. We have a very good bond from the beginning of USA Basketball so we are just trying to carry that on to college."
Viewed primarily as a scorer, Newman has often reminded Rivals.com of a young Ben Gordon type player. He is a streaky jump shooter with deep range, a high release and explosive athleticism when he chooses to attack the rim. He's always confident and he is also surprisingly strong and tough with the ball.
Newman feels like he has kept developing and said that he didn't get to see a young Ben Gordon and is hoping to emulate a few of the NBA's new young stars.
"I think I have developed all around, no specific area, everywhere," said Newman. "Like a Westbrook or a Derrick Rose, I'd like to try and be one of those type of players.
"I need to keep working one everything. I just want to get better."
On the recruiting front, Newman doesn't yet have an actual school list. He has hosted the likes of Connecticut, Kansas, Kentucky, N.C. State and Mississippi State for in home visits and many others are in pursuit.
Newman does have a target date for setting up a list and an idea of how many will make his official list. Player development and longevity on the professional level will also factor into his decision.
"By the end of the summer, I want to be down to five," said Newman. "I'll look at the players around and the players that are coming back. Also the development of their players and how long they stay in the league."
Eric Bossi is the national basketball recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. You can click here to follow him on Twitter.
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