09 Recruiting Questions

[MillerTime]

It looks like the dominoes of the 09 recruiting class are beginning to fall. Several of the top 100 in the nation have already verballed. Where does X stand with their targets?

Ari Stewart - X is supposedly in the mix with Florida, Wake Forest, and Georgia Tech. Florida just used their last scholly on Erik Murphy, an 09 big man, which looks to take them out of the race (I don't think any of Florida's players are going pro after this year). Anybody heard much lately? He would obviously be the perfect fit, since both of our SF will have graduated by that point.

Durand Scott - I see this name being thrown around a lot, and he lists us as one of his top choices at this point. However, it looks to me there is going to be a log jam at the shooting guard position in 09 (Graves SR, Jackson JR, Walsh SO), unless we are going to a 3 guard set. I've seen him listed as 6'4", which I guess many schools have played with a 3 at that size before. According to a profile update on scout.com, Arizona, Miami, Rutgers, and Seton Hall have offered, but we have not? Are we waiting to hear from Stewart?

Naji Hibbert - Haven't heard anything lately...

Terrence Shannon - In the mix with a bunch of schools, and did show up at the Auburn game to watch X.

Kammeon Hosley - Per rivals, it looks like his top 2 are Clemson and Georgia Tech.

Any others? Also, are we for sure done in the class of 2008?

[finalfourorbust]

Are any of these guys legit point guards? We are seriously lacking depth there.

[MillerTime]

None are point guards, because we have 2 coming in the class of 2008 - Mark Lyons and Brad Redford. Dante will be the 3rd option.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

None are point guards, because we have 2 coming in the class of 2008 - Mark Lyons and Brad Redford. Dante will be the 3rd option.

how many scholarships do we have available for 09? one?

[X Factor]

A couple of other names to look out for are SF Tevin Baskin. He's about 6'5/6'6 with great athletic ability. Played for the Gauchos in AAU ball. He's a Top 100 player and Xavier is sitting pretty good right now.

Also, PF/C James Still from Michigan. He is 6'8 and very long. One of best big men in the Class of '09. He's ranked around #64 in the country.

A couple other names:

Jeremy Olsen 6'10 (Lawrenceville, GA. 3* player with offers from BYU, Utah, Ole Miss, Providence, and XAVIER)

Omari Lawrence 6'3 (St. Raymond's HS. 3* player with offers from Pitt, Georgetown, Memphis, Auburn, XAVIER)



Getting Ari Stewart would be huge! If we only landed Ari, it would be a great class.

Would love to see Stewart and Still and then Baskin, Scott, Hibbert, or Lawrence. I'm pretty sure we have 3 schollies for '09 since we lose BJ, CJ, and Bronson.

[Wisexuowl]

All of this, whether any come to Xavier or not, is proof that this staff recruits nationally and against anyone. They know the odds ... they'll get their share. Adding to that is the fact XU now has the funds to reach out past 20 miles of the campus ... In the old days, Ned, Jimmy, Rube the basketball recruiting budget was a whopping $1,500. from the University and the Musketeer Club argumented that with an additional $500. We did a lot of budget transferring in those das to pay the expenses.

[MillerTime]

We have 3 but doubt we can land 3 of the names we mentioned. The small forward position is an easy sell (BJ and CJ gone in 09), but front court is pretty full.

[StanleyOwnsYou]

Not to brag or anything but my two biggest passions are Xavier Basketball and Xavier Recruiting. I've been following the process for a few years now and this 09 class should shape to rival the 08 class coming in next season.

Miller Time is correct in that the dominoes are slowly but surely starting to fall. Most of the Top Prospects have been mentioned and Brian Snow of musketeerscoop.com (Rivals) had a great piece last week on the "sweet 16" prospects Xavier's targeting. And you can be rest assured that this is Xavier's best recruiting staff ever. They can and will prove that they can recruit against the nations best.

Here are the Top 5:

1. Ari Stewart 5* Marietta, GA SF
Stewart is a five star prospect, and one of the premier prospects at his position. His visit to Xavier cemented the Muskies spot at the front of his mind, and right now Xavier has to be considered one of his favorites. The Fact that Floridas doesn't have any schollies left and that UNC already signed 2 5-star Forwards in this class can't help their case.

IMO: It's Xavier, Wake, and GA Tech

2. Terrance Shannon 4* Forsyth, GA SF/F
Shannon is really emerging as one of the better forward prospects in the country. His high energy style and athleticism are intriguing. Right now it is still early, but the Musketeers are right there in the thick of this race. This kid's stock has risen tremendously recently. He also was in attendance for the XU-AUB game.

Considering: Xavier, Auburn, Georgia, Nebraska, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia Tech, Florida State, Clemson

3. James Still 4* Detroit, MI PF/C
Still is tough to get a read on, but at this point Xavier seems to have made a solid impression on him.

Considering: Xavier, Syracuse, Michigan, Michigan State, Memphis, Iowa, Kansas State

4. Durand Scott 4* New York, NY SG
Scott is from Rice HS, one of the premiere schools in the counrty for developing players. Scott's connection with Assistant coach Emanuel 'Book 'Richardson got Xavier in in the picture, leading to an unofficial visit. Scott saw the game against Cincinnati, and that has him strongly considering Xavier. However, Scott is said to be wide open in his recruitment.

Considering: Xavier, Memphis, Miami, St. John's, Wake Forest, Arizona, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Duke, UConn, Virginia.

5. Naji Hibbert 4* Hyattsville, MD SG
Hibbert is from renound DeMatha Catholic high school and has visited X for Musketeer Madness. He has an offer from X is believed to be very interested.

Considering: Xavier, Texas A&M, Syracuse, North Carolina, Maryland, Miami (FL), Marquette

[MillerTime]

Thanks StanleyOwnsYou...

Carolina is all but out of the race for Stewart. They are going after Cheek, McDonald, Wall first, and they don't miss on many of their targets.

Out of all these guys it looks like we are in the best shape for Stewart, and he is the most highly touted. Curious as well, what is the connection to Georgia? We are recruiting like 5 players from the state.

[mhettel]

Good update Stan.

I thought Wake already had the #1 SF from 2008 signed up. Seems like Stewart would want to go to a place where PT could be readily available as a freshman.

How many ships in 2009? 2?

I'd have to think pure SF and either SG or PF would be on the menu. I'd love to see an early commitment by one of these guys. Even if they don't pick us, i'd like early decisions so we can move on down the line to other recruits.

I think last year we could have signed Jeff Teague, Jordan Crawford, or Matt Howard if we would have been on them from the start. We got involved with them a bit later due to the fact that we were focused on other guys.

an early commitment by Stewart, coupled with the stud class we have coming in, will be a great story for whoever we're targeting for that last scholly. Some kid is gonna want o be part of a fantastic 2 man class with Stewart.