Potpourri, Aug 16

 From "Who is the X-factor for Illinois Basketball?"

"...Coleman Hawkins has been a polarizing figure while at Illinois. Hawkins cares a lot about success, and he has a skillset that is perfect for the next level. Fans have grown to love his passion and honesty with the media. Coleman’s biggest hurdle during his three years has been consistency. He’s the kind of player that will put up a triple double against Syracuse, and then have 6 turnovers and shoot 0-6 from the 3 against Missouri. Coleman has to show that he’s decisive and confident in his scoring skills. I think a big reason that he struggles with this is that he is sometimes relied to initiate offense.

This is why RayJ Dennis was such a huge miss. Shannon Jr and Hawkins would not have to create offense as much, which ultimately would have benefited their games. Hawkins has to be more consistent and shoot the ball better. During his three years at Illinois, he has never shot better than 30% from the 3pt line. If he can improve this number and his 60% free throw percentage, Illinois will have a better chance at being elite, which ultimately would have benefited their games. Hawkins has to be more consistent and shoot the ball better."

The 6-foot-10 Hawkins attended Antelope High and Prolific Prep.

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Zander Jimenez: "Thank you Coach Brian Earl, Associate Head Coach Jon Jaques, Assistant Coach Max Ginsberg  I had a great time @ cornell_mbb."

Jimenez is a 6-foot-3, 2024 talent at Salesian Prep possessing a 4.57 grade point average.

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From Paul Hernandez at the Pangos Premier 80 held on July 6: 

(2025 6’2 Jaylen Valdez (Capital Christian/Sacramento CA)

"Valdez is a combo guard that scores in volume from 3-levels and has the moves to create his own offense, as well as make plays for others. Valdez keeps the ball on a string, has shifty moves to create separation from his opponent, makes great use of the crossover to get his defender off balance, gets downhill once by his man, and is a creative scorer around the basket. Valdez has the moves to create his own perimeter shots off the dribble, is a 3-level scoring threat, and is fastly rising as one of the better 2025 Norcal prospects. Valdez is a solid on-ball defender, gets into his opponent’s dribbling space, and generates turnovers, which lead to instant offense in the open court."

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Bjorn Ryning: "After a great call with Coach Danzig I am grateful to receive an offer from Pratt Institute! Thank you to the coaching staff for believing in me."

Ryning is a 6-foot-6 2024 talent out of Redwood High in Larkspur.

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Michael Houben: "Josh Dent, a 2024 PG out of New South Wales, announced his commitment to Saint Mary's College. The guard has spent time with both the NBA Global Academy and Centre of Excellence programs. He's also represented Australia at the 2022 FIBA U16 Asia Championship and U17 World Cup."

He stands 6-foot-3.

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Grand View Men's Basketball: "We are excited to introduce our 2023 recruiting class - starting with Ra'Shjon Martinez. "Ray is an excellent defender and shooter who loves to compete on both ends of the floor. He’s been a winner his entire career and we know he will continue that here at GV. " - Coach Schaefer."

With Vallejo as his home town, Martinez is a 6-foot-3 guard coming over from Fort Lewis College in Colorado.

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Devin Aye: "Congrats to Trent Blackshire on signing his scholarship to Notre Dame College- Cleveland.  Trent was All-Conference on the '21-'22 Jags that finished 23-7, and will be transferring into NDC from Mayville State where he was All-Conference. Trent will be a senior at the NCAA D2!"

The 6-foot-3 Blackshire is out of Piedmont High and then San Jose City College.

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Tobias Bass: "NEWS: 3⭐️Brooks Bahr has cut his list to 8️⃣

• BYU - visit Sept 28
• Utah - visit Aug 31
• Wake Forest - visit Sept 22
• USC - visit Oct 6
• Nebraska 
• Oklahoma State
• Saint Marys 
• Colorado St"

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Basketball Recruitment: "2024 6'8 SF Jaden Steppe has completed an official visit to Colorado State. 

Steppe holds an offer from the Rams along with Washington St, San Francisco, Montana, Montana St, Weber St, UCSB, Pepperdine, Portland St, and Cal Poly."

Steppe is a 6-foot-8 shooting guard/wing out of Oregon who was offered by the Dons way back in October 2021. This July 2023 article indicates St. Mary's has also offered.

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Jake Lieberman: "2024 guard prospect Darnez Slater tells me that the following programs are recruiting him the hardest:

• Montana State
• UC Irvine
• Colorado State
• New Mexico

Offers: Colorado State, San Jose State, New Mexico, Montana, Cal Poly, UCI, Montana State, UT Arlington"

The Spartans need guard help but apparently Fresno area talent Slater ain't their top backcourt target.

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Basketball Recruitment: "2024 6'7 SF Bryson McGlothin (Texas) has trimmed his list to the following schools.

Finalists:

• Rice
• Holy Cross
• George Mason
• Richmond
• San Francisco (offered in late May, 2023)
• Montana State
• UT Arlington"

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