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Tracking the College Basketball Stars of the Future
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ECU &
C-USA Hoops
Recruiting Report
Tuesday, December 16, 2003
By Thad Mumau
Special Correspondent |
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Juco tandem on Herrion's radar
©2003 Bonesville.net
Tihon Johnson
and Waki Williams have played on the same basketball team for a long time,
and they could continue the trend in Greenville next year.
Both are being
recruited by East Carolina, and, although a package deal is not something
either athlete is talking about, it is possible since they are completely
different kinds of players.
Johnson and
Williams are in their second year at Mount San Jacinto (CA) Junior College
after starring at Columbus (OH) East High School.
Johnson, a
6-4, 200-pound combination guard, averaged 19.2 points and 5.6 rebounds as
San Jacinto got off to an 8-2 start that has the team ranked No. 4 among
California junior colleges. He missed the first five games with an ankle
sprain and is now back to full strength.
Williams, who
stands 6-9 and weighs 215, had played in all 10 games and averaged 15.6
points and 8.8 rebounds. He posted a double-double against Palomar with 29
points and 13 rebounds.
As freshmen,
Johnson got 19.7 points (with a high of 39) and six boards per game, while
Williams added 17.2 points and 9.5 rebounds a contest. Johnson sank 81.6
percent of his free throws. Williams made 55.6 percent of his field goal
attempts.
Both are fine
three-point marksmen, with Johnson hitting 40 percent (8-20) behind the arc
this season and Williams even better at 46.4 (13-28).
"They can both
score in a variety of ways," Mount San Jacinto coach Patrick Springer said,
"and both are extremely quick for their size. Tihon is an outside-in guy and
Waki goes inside-out. Both are very versatile.
"In Tihon,
you’re looking at a power-type guard. He is a big, physical kid who really
has a knack for scoring. He takes the ball to the basket real hard and can
post up a lot of people, even guys who are a little taller, because he’s so
strong.
"He is a very
good ball handler. I think in college he would be a two guard who could
slide over and give you some minutes as a back-up point and even play small
forward.
"Waki is a
four/three type, a power forward who can move out on the perimeter. He’s a
point forward and is very good at taking the ball at the top of the circle
and either hitting the jump shot or spotting open teammates because he can
see over the defense. He is one of our best passers.
"Waki isn’t
quite as physical as Tihon, but he’s more athletic. Last season, we had to
keep Waki inside most of the time, but we have more size and depth this year
and will be able to let him play outside more."
Johnson has
taken an official visit to Creighton and an unofficial trip to Akron.
Connecticut is very interested in him and so is Baylor.
Williams has
not made any visits. He is getting looks from Houston, Memphis, Ohio State,
Arizona and Boise State.
The East
Carolina staff likes Johnson and Williams as head coach Bill Herrion and
assistant Greg Herenda have watched them play.
"Bill Herrion
has been out to see them," Springer said. "When the head coach takes the
time to come all the way out here, that’s a plus in that it impresses the
kids.
"I don’t think
they will make a decision any time soon, but you never know. Both of them
are wide open. They haven’t said anything about trying to go to the same
college, but they have been together quite a while and are good friends."
Gordon scoring big
Louisville and
Memphis join Tennessee as high-scoring junior Jamonte Gordon’s three
favorite schools.
The 6-4 wing
guard has been averaging over 35 points per game this season. for Nashville
(TN) Glencliff High School. Alabama, Indiana and Illinois have also shown
interest.
Gordon made 14
of 22 shots vs. Whites Creek High, finishing with 38 points, 13 rebounds and
six assists.
Luke Zeller, a
6-11 junior center from Washington (IN) High, is attracting lots of
attention.
Louisville and Marquette are among the schools recruiting the prospect
ranked No. 16 in the 2005 class by Prepstars.com. Others include Kansas,
North Carolina, N.C. State, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame,
Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Stanford, Purdue and Xavier.
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02/23/2007 02:40:13 PM |
