Panzanaro Knows Big Men

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Peekskill Head Coach Louis Panzanaro knows a thing or two about big men.

His last Division I caliber big man, 6-7 man-child Elton Brand, played two years at Duke University before being selected number one overall in the NBA Draft a few years back by the Chicago Bulls. He is now a member of the Los Angeles Clippers.

This fall, Panzanaro has watched 6-9 senior Hilton Armstrong blossom into a potential high Division I basketball prospect.

"There's a lot of interest in him, and it seems to be gaining more and more each day," Panzanaro said.

Lightly recruited until this past summer, Armstrong took one early trip to La Salle and nearly signed with the Explorers this fall. However, he opted to wait until the spring, and now programs such as North Carolina, Illinois, UConn, St. Joe's, South Florida and Texas A&M are showing interest in the lanky 200 pound big man.

"People use the word upside all of the time, and in Hilton's case, it's definitely true," Panzanaro said. "The kid was 16 until Thanksgiving. He just had his 17th birthday. So he's young. He really should be a junior and most kids that age are juniors."

"He really did not play much basketball until his junior year," Panzanaro continued. "Before that, he was on the J.V. team, but he was not playing very much and he was awkward. But this kid is getting better, more confident and more physical, and he's beginning to understand things."

As a junior last year at Peekskill, Armstrong posted modest numbers, averaging nine points, 12 rebounds and six blocks per game. On Saturday night in a 69-59 loss to St. Raymond's H.S. at the Slam Dunk Challenge, Armstrong collected 13 points (6/10 FGs), five rebounds and four blocks.

"I think his offense has been his greatest area of improvement," Panzanaro said. "You did not get a chance to see a whole lot of that tonight, but he shoots the ball really well. He has that little turnaround bank shot, and he can shoot from the base line or high post. And he's a really good passer."

"I think the thing he needs to work on is his defensive technique and getting his body in the right position," Panzanaro continued. "He's a skilled kid and I think he has unlimited potential. I think once he puts on a couple of pounds and starts developing mentally in terms of understanding the game, I think he is going to be a solid Division I basketball player."

Connecticut was on hand to see Armstrong play on Saturday at the Westchester County Center, while Illinois and North Carolina have been up to watch the lanky 6-9 insider practice.

"Today was the first time I talked to Connecticut," Panzanaro said. "UNC said that they would call back after they evaluated where they were at, and Illinois came into our practice and said that they were very interested, but whether that means they are going to offer or not, I don't know."

North Carolina was intrigued after watching Armstrong practice, and Tar Heel Asst. Coach Fred Quartlebaum told Panzanaro that they plan on monitoring Hilton all winter long.

"What they were concerned about was his focus," Panzanaro said. "In practice, he focuses, and then sometimes, he acts 16-years old and drifts for a while. But they loved his skills -- his footwork, his mobility and the way he moves."

In addition to the UConn staff, LaSalle Head Coach Billy Hahn and Asst. Coach Joe Lombardi were present on Saturday night for Armstrong's game against St. Raymond's.

"According to Hilton, he is still most interested in La Salle," Panzanaro said. "Those two coaches were here today trying to hold onto him."