Predicting Summer Stock Risers – Part Three

New England Recruiting Report | Thursday, June 30th, 2011

The final chapter of our three part series on summer stock risers is to try and predict any prospects in the class of 2012 who have the potential to take their recruitment to unprecedented levels this summer. 

By going back and studying stock risers from the last three summers we’ve been able to find some commonalities and draw some conclusions.  What has become clear is that face-up four-men are in the highest demand while traditional post players and perimeter shooters are also of great value. 

Below we have identified some guys who match those descriptions while also pulling out the rare prospect who could still be in store for a recruiting jump despite not meeting the typical definition. 

Face-Up Fours

Anthony Joseph Perez Cortesia – The Lee Academy forward has returned to Venezuala and is uncertain whether he’ll make an appearance on the July circuit, but if he does his game is one that could quickly develop a major following. 

Tevin Falzon – He’s followed a pattern that typically leads to summer success, playing well in the spring and gradually escalating his recruiting interest. 

Maurice Taylor – He’s a combo-forward who plays exclusively on the wing right now but has the size and length to be able to defend the four-spot at the next level. 

Kyle Reardon – He’s a great shooter who plays with a chip on his shoulder.  The question this summer is whether he is a three or a four defensively. 

Billy Murphy – He shoots well to the arc and shows signs of footwork and some passing instincts that have him ideally suited for certain systems. 

Others – Macam Bak Macam, Billy McDonald, Connor Green, Tyler McFarland, Patrick Stewart

Big Men

Egi Gjikondi – The word is that he could be available in 2011.  History has shown us that big men get second chances if they have talent and Gjikondi could be this year’s example. 

Darren Payen – Half post and half face-four, Payen is a long lefty with some bounce and a plethora of tools to intrigue college coaches.  If he puts it all together his stock could soar. 

Jesse Chuku – Another guy who is more comfortable facing the basket but doesn’t yet shoot it well enough to be a stretch-four, Chuku is more like an athletic hybrid. 

Lucas Van Nes – He’s a pure center and that makes him a rare commodity.  If he’ll embrace that role and start throwing his body around inside he’ll quickly reap the rewards. 

Joe Glynn – Another guy whose stock has steadily risen over the course of the spring, Glynn has the size and athleticism to be of interest to coaches from a variety of levels. 

Others – Ed Lawrence, Cedric Kuakumensah, Chad Copeland, Thomas Palleschi, Nick Lund, Ben Pollack, Kalusha Ndoumbe Ngollo, Oscar Assie, Dana Hines, Nate Howard

Shooters

Ryan Hartung – He can stroke it and is deceptively good with his dribble.  Combine that with good size on the wing that can sometimes allow him to slide over to the four and he’s very intriguing. 

Casey Woodring – He’s a catch and shoot specialist with a super quick release and the complimenting floor game to support his standout skill. 

Tristan Thomas – The rising post-grad pulls his jumper as well off the dribble as he does the catch, has a quick release, and a strong body. 

Harry Rafferty – Arguably the best southpaw sniper around, Rafferty’s release is pure enough to warrant scholarship level interest this summer. 

Eli Lubick – His recruitment is open following the coaching change at Colgate and schools in the market for an academic shooter with feel and toughness need to take a look.   

Others – Rony Fernandez, Tom Bajda, Jamie Holder, Connor Mahoney, Lucas Hausman, Rob Hazard, Mike Boornazian, Gunner Bjornson

Others

Alex Furness – He’s a playmaker and facilitator who can play three different positions on the floor and has length that defensive coaches will covet for a variety of situations. 

Ahmad Reid – He played to rave reviews in his junior season at Berkshire but still managed to fly somewhat under the radar.  That might not last this summer. 

Wol Majong – His spring performances have people intrigued as he has shown a variety of tools.  If he can do it on a consistent basis this summer his recruitment will rise accordingly.