Starting Five: Best available PG
The NCAA Tournament is in full swing with the Sweet 16 round coming up this weekend. On the high school front, the last remaining state tournaments are wrapping up and the spring All-Star games are about to start for seniors while the grassroots circuit has kicked off for underclassmen. In this week's Starting Five, we take a look at a few sleepers left on the board, discuss some of those state tournament performances and more.
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Lovett best PG available
He was unable to lead his Chicago (Ill.) Morgan Park to a third straight Illinois class 3A state championship, but senior point guard Marcus LoVett went down swinging with a spectacular 45-point outing in the state semifinals. Currently ranked No. 92 nationally in the class of 2015, LoVett showed why he will be making a pretty sizeable jump in the final Rivals150 for that class in April and that he is clearly the best unsigned point guard on the board.
After playing his first three seasons of high school ball in California, LoVett was at the top of his game this season. He has always been a clever ball-handler and streaky scorer, but this year he turned into a true gamer and a leader for his team. The southpaw got more dangerous with his jumper, added some strength and learned to play hard each time out.
Though his team took the loss to Belleville (Illinois) Althoff on Friday, LoVett laid it all on the line. He drove to the rim, knocked down jumpers and was pretty efficient as well making 20 of his 27 field goal attempts to score 45 points.
Now, it is time to see who wants to get serious with LoVett on the recruiting front. There have been plenty of names mentioned, but at this juncture the three programs that look to be the most heavily involved are Illinois, Pittsburgh and St. John's and both John Groce and Jamie Dixon watched him on Friday. LoVett still has all five official visits to him and needs to take either the ACT or SAT so that he can make visits, but things should be heating up with him in short order.
Blair deserves looks
Under the guidance of head coach Grant Rice, Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman keeps wracking up state tournament titles. This season, the Gaels won their ninth since 2000 and fourth in a row. Five-star senior big men Stephen Zimmerman and Chase Jeter were the stars and junior big Zach Collins -- who committed to Gonzaga last week -- gets a lot of attention too. But, the glue of the team was three-star small forward Nick Blair.
An explosive athlete with a strong build, Blair is the least-heralded of the bunch, but has played a huge role in Gorman's success. His ability to attack in transition, crash the glass and help out with guarding the opponent's best perimeter players has been absolutely vital to his team's success.
Not only was Blair successful with Bishop Gorman, he proved during the summer that he can play with the best by competing at a high level for the Belmont Shore grassroots program. Surprisingly, though, Blair is currently being lightly recruited and doesn't have many options.
For whatever reason, this isn't something new with a key Bishop Gorman contributor. Two years ago, three-star wing Rashad Muhammad was similarly under recruited and he's ended up scoring 783 points in his first two seasons at San Jose State. Last year, it was three-star point guard Noah Robotham who was lightly recruited until late and ended up earning All-Freshman honors in the MAC this season at Akron.
At some point, somebody on the mid-major level is going to realize Blair can help them in a lot of ways and make a scholarship offer to lock up a versatile player.
Big man picking up steam
As teams race to fill out their recruiting classes in the spring, there always seems to be a lot of reaching on prospects. At the same time, there always seem to be a few guys who prove to be true sleeper prospects. The more Rivals.com learns about Westland (Mich.) John Glenn's senior big man Mike Edwards, the more we feel he could be in that sleeper category.
Edwards has all of the signs of a true late bloomer. As a junior, he only averaged four points per game, but as a senior he has been over 20 points and 10 rebounds per outing, so the increased production is there. But there's more than that.
Standing 6-foot-10, Edwards is a good athlete with a great frame to build on. He has good hands, runs the floor, can put the ball on the floor a bit and his overall instincts look good. He needs more strength and polish with his footwork around the rim, but the tools to earn a high-major scholarship are all there and not surprisingly the high-major attention has come.
In the past few weeks, Nebraska, Kansas State, Georgia -- where he will take an official visit this weekend -- and Rice have offered scholarships joining Illinois State, UC Davis, Akron, Ball State, Eastern Michigan and Northern Illinois. Auburn has expressed some interest, along with Marquette,Arkansas, Penn State and over the weekend Edwards took an unofficial visit to Michigan after the Wolverines watched him earlier in the week.
Five-star big breaks hand
The season didn't quite end the way that five-star power forward Henry Ellenson had hoped it would. The 6-foot-10 power forward at Rice Lake (Wisc.) High broke his left (non shooting) hand in the state semifinals and likely cost him a chance at finishing out his high school career as a state champion. Ellenson is committed to Marquette.
While his future school Notre DameClick Once again, it was the Lonzo BallClick Though his team fell in the finals to Watson and St. Joseph, sophomore shooting guard Jordan GoodwinClick It was a strong senior season for four-star point guard Glynn WatsonClick State tourney actionHere to view this Link. and he finished it out in style leading Westchester (Ill.) St. Joseph to a class 3A state title. The No. 88 player in the senior class is the jewel of NebraskaClick State tourney actionHere to view this Link.'s 2015 recruiting class and he looks like he has the tools to be a multiple-year starter in Lincoln. Watson makes those around him better, has command of the game off the dribble and he leads vocally and by example. The only thing that could hold him back early at Nebraska looks to be strength, but the idea of being able to unleash him and promising freshman Tarin SmithClick State tourney actionHere to view this Link. in a two-headed point guard attack for years to come has to be exciting to Huskers fans.Here to view this Link. of Belleville (Ill.) Althoff turned heads at the Illinois state tournament. After scoring 18 points, grabbing 14 rebounds and dishing out nine assists in the semifinals, the thickly built 6-foot-3 two guard had 23, 12 and four more in the state title game. Currently rated as three-star prospect, Goodwin is going to be interesting to watch on the grassroots circuit this fall. A strong athlete who loves to attack the rim, he's-big bodied and in many ways similar in style to Butler star -- and former Rivals150 prospect -- Roosevelt JonesClick It was a strong senior season for four-star point guard Glynn WatsonClick State tourney actionHere to view this Link. and he finished it out in style leading Westchester (Ill.) St. Joseph to a class 3A state title. The No. 88 player in the senior class is the jewel of NebraskaClick State tourney actionHere to view this Link.'s 2015 recruiting class and he looks like he has the tools to be a multiple-year starter in Lincoln. Watson makes those around him better, has command of the game off the dribble and he leads vocally and by example. The only thing that could hold him back early at Nebraska looks to be strength, but the idea of being able to unleash him and promising freshman Tarin SmithClick State tourney actionHere to view this Link. in a two-headed point guard attack for years to come has to be exciting to Huskers fans.Here to view this Link. because he can really play in the post for a wing player.Here to view this Link. Show out in Southern California. The 6-foot-5 junior point guard at Chino Hills (Calif.) High was outstanding in leading his team to a Division One California Regional title over Corona (Calif.) Centennial. Putting together the type of stat line that perhaps no other point guard in America can, Ball had 26 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and eight steals. Already ranked the No. 9 prospect in the class of 2016, the UCLAClick Though his team fell in the finals to Watson and St. Joseph, sophomore shooting guard Jordan GoodwinClick It was a strong senior season for four-star point guard Glynn WatsonClick State tourney actionHere to view this Link. and he finished it out in style leading Westchester (Ill.) St. Joseph to a class 3A state title. The No. 88 player in the senior class is the jewel of NebraskaClick State tourney actionHere to view this Link.'s 2015 recruiting class and he looks like he has the tools to be a multiple-year starter in Lincoln. Watson makes those around him better, has command of the game off the dribble and he leads vocally and by example. The only thing that could hold him back early at Nebraska looks to be strength, but the idea of being able to unleash him and promising freshman Tarin SmithClick State tourney actionHere to view this Link. in a two-headed point guard attack for years to come has to be exciting to Huskers fans.Here to view this Link. of Belleville (Ill.) Althoff turned heads at the Illinois state tournament. After scoring 18 points, grabbing 14 rebounds and dishing out nine assists in the semifinals, the thickly built 6-foot-3 two guard had 23, 12 and four more in the state title game. Currently rated as three-star prospect, Goodwin is going to be interesting to watch on the grassroots circuit this fall. A strong athlete who loves to attack the rim, he's-big bodied and in many ways similar in style to Butler star -- and former Rivals150 prospect -- Roosevelt JonesClick It was a strong senior season for four-star point guard Glynn WatsonClick State tourney actionHere to view this Link. and he finished it out in style leading Westchester (Ill.) St. Joseph to a class 3A state title. The No. 88 player in the senior class is the jewel of NebraskaClick State tourney actionHere to view this Link.'s 2015 recruiting class and he looks like he has the tools to be a multiple-year starter in Lincoln. Watson makes those around him better, has command of the game off the dribble and he leads vocally and by example. The only thing that could hold him back early at Nebraska looks to be strength, but the idea of being able to unleash him and promising freshman Tarin SmithClick State tourney actionHere to view this Link. in a two-headed point guard attack for years to come has to be exciting to Huskers fans.Here to view this Link. because he can really play in the post for a wing player.Here to view this Link. commitment is putting together a pretty strong case for some upward movement. There are still times where he looks a little disengaged from the game, his jumper needs some tightening up and he makes some maddening decisions. But Ball's versatility and size make him an elite prospect with huge upside.Here to view this Link. was beating Butler in dramatic fashion to move the Sweet Sixteen, four-star senior shooting guardRex PfluegerClick Once again, it was the Lonzo BallClick Though his team fell in the finals to Watson and St. Joseph, sophomore shooting guard Jordan GoodwinClick It was a strong senior season for four-star point guard Glynn WatsonClick State tourney actionHere to view this Link. and he finished it out in style leading Westchester (Ill.) St. Joseph to a class 3A state title. The No. 88 player in the senior class is the jewel of NebraskaClick State tourney actionHere to view this Link.'s 2015 recruiting class and he looks like he has the tools to be a multiple-year starter in Lincoln. Watson makes those around him better, has command of the game off the dribble and he leads vocally and by example. The only thing that could hold him back early at Nebraska looks to be strength, but the idea of being able to unleash him and promising freshman Tarin SmithClick State tourney actionHere to view this Link. in a two-headed point guard attack for years to come has to be exciting to Huskers fans.Here to view this Link. of Belleville (Ill.) Althoff turned heads at the Illinois state tournament. After scoring 18 points, grabbing 14 rebounds and dishing out nine assists in the semifinals, the thickly built 6-foot-3 two guard had 23, 12 and four more in the state title game. Currently rated as three-star prospect, Goodwin is going to be interesting to watch on the grassroots circuit this fall. A strong athlete who loves to attack the rim, he's-big bodied and in many ways similar in style to Butler star -- and former Rivals150 prospect -- Roosevelt JonesClick It was a strong senior season for four-star point guard Glynn WatsonClick State tourney actionHere to view this Link. and he finished it out in style leading Westchester (Ill.) St. Joseph to a class 3A state title. The No. 88 player in the senior class is the jewel of NebraskaClick State tourney actionHere to view this Link.'s 2015 recruiting class and he looks like he has the tools to be a multiple-year starter in Lincoln. Watson makes those around him better, has command of the game off the dribble and he leads vocally and by example. The only thing that could hold him back early at Nebraska looks to be strength, but the idea of being able to unleash him and promising freshman Tarin SmithClick State tourney actionHere to view this Link. in a two-headed point guard attack for years to come has to be exciting to Huskers fans.Here to view this Link. because he can really play in the post for a wing player.Here to view this Link. Show out in Southern California. The 6-foot-5 junior point guard at Chino Hills (Calif.) High was outstanding in leading his team to a Division One California Regional title over Corona (Calif.) Centennial. Putting together the type of stat line that perhaps no other point guard in America can, Ball had 26 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and eight steals. Already ranked the No. 9 prospect in the class of 2016, the UCLAClick Though his team fell in the finals to Watson and St. Joseph, sophomore shooting guard Jordan GoodwinClick It was a strong senior season for four-star point guard Glynn WatsonClick State tourney actionHere to view this Link. and he finished it out in style leading Westchester (Ill.) St. Joseph to a class 3A state title. The No. 88 player in the senior class is the jewel of NebraskaClick State tourney actionHere to view this Link.'s 2015 recruiting class and he looks like he has the tools to be a multiple-year starter in Lincoln. Watson makes those around him better, has command of the game off the dribble and he leads vocally and by example. The only thing that could hold him back early at Nebraska looks to be strength, but the idea of being able to unleash him and promising freshman Tarin SmithClick State tourney actionHere to view this Link. in a two-headed point guard attack for years to come has to be exciting to Huskers fans.Here to view this Link. of Belleville (Ill.) Althoff turned heads at the Illinois state tournament. After scoring 18 points, grabbing 14 rebounds and dishing out nine assists in the semifinals, the thickly built 6-foot-3 two guard had 23, 12 and four more in the state title game. Currently rated as three-star prospect, Goodwin is going to be interesting to watch on the grassroots circuit this fall. A strong athlete who loves to attack the rim, he's-big bodied and in many ways similar in style to Butler star -- and former Rivals150 prospect -- Roosevelt JonesClick It was a strong senior season for four-star point guard Glynn WatsonClick State tourney actionHere to view this Link. and he finished it out in style leading Westchester (Ill.) St. Joseph to a class 3A state title. The No. 88 player in the senior class is the jewel of NebraskaClick State tourney actionHere to view this Link.'s 2015 recruiting class and he looks like he has the tools to be a multiple-year starter in Lincoln. Watson makes those around him better, has command of the game off the dribble and he leads vocally and by example. The only thing that could hold him back early at Nebraska looks to be strength, but the idea of being able to unleash him and promising freshman Tarin SmithClick State tourney actionHere to view this Link. in a two-headed point guard attack for years to come has to be exciting to Huskers fans.Here to view this Link. because he can really play in the post for a wing player.Here to view this Link. commitment is putting together a pretty strong case for some upward movement. There are still times where he looks a little disengaged from the game, his jumper needs some tightening up and he makes some maddening decisions. But Ball's versatility and size make him an elite prospect with huge upside.Here to view this Link. was making sure his senior season at Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei didn't end. The tough 6-foot-5 shooting guard scored 15 of his game-high 23 points in the first half of a 51-40 win over Los Angeles (Calif.) Fairfax to deliver Mater Dei an Open Division Southern California Regional Championship and put them in position to win their fifth straight state title this weekend in Sacramento. Pflueger delivered dagger jumpers at key times and played with an all-around toughness that will serve him well on the next level. Currently ranked No. 99 in the class of 2015, Pflueger's senior season has been a strong one and he's one of many that have made a good argument to go up in the final Rivals150 for 2015 in April.