Another Basketball confidential

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Basketball Confidential, July 10, 2008

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Kenny Boynton let his game do all the talking this week. Since April, one recruiting service or another has touted guards like John Wall (6-3, 180, Raleigh, NC Word of God Academy, #7 ESPN Top 100) or Abdul Gaddy (6-3, 170, Tacoma, WA Bellarmine Prep, #14 ESPN Top 100) or Dominic Cheek (6-5, 175, Jersey City, NJ St. Antony's, #5 ESPN Top 100) or Leslie McDonald (6-5, 200, Memphis, TN Briarcrest Christian, #8 ESPN Top 100). Those are all very good players, no doubt about it, but what Boynton did at Reebok U this week clearly established him as the true top gun among guards.

It hasn't been just one facet of Boynton's game that has stood out this week. It is the fact that he has such a handle on every single aspect that might have very well established him as the top player in the country no matter the position. Boynton can score points by the bucketloads, either from the outside where he's lethal, or as he proved Tuesday night with a game-winning dunk with 1.1 seconds to go. He's also proven that he can find the open teammate, handle the ball against pressure and make smart decisions. If there is one area of Boynton's game that has been overlooked it is his defense and he stepped it up there at Reebok.

Boynton (6-2, 180, Plantation, FL American Heritage, #3 ESPN Top 100) is proving wrong the skeptics who have said he can't survive unless he's taking all the shots. There is no question that he can fit into a team framework and thrive. He's got that ability to make every one of his teammates better when he takes the court.

Something else that has been evident this week is how well Boynton and teammate Brandon Knight (6-3, 175, Fort Lauderdale, FL Pine Crest, #1 ESPN 2010) work together. It is obvious that these two are so in tune with each other that they would make a guard combo at the next level that is second to none. They can both handle the ball, get the ball to teammates and play great defense. Boynton is more of a consistent outside threat while Knight is a scorer that can get points in a number of ways.

Boynton has been asked the same questions over and over about where he's going to school next year and where he's favoring. This week he answered one questioner with Miami, Georgia Tech and Duke. No mention of Florida and Memphis. No mention either of Texas. Of the three he mentioned, Duke is a player although one that has faded somewhat in the past month of so.

Here is a dose of reality: it's Florida in the lead and Memphis number two and Texas might even be a nose ahead of Duke right now. At least that's the way it is at this particular moment and there is every good expectation that is the way it's going to play out. That's from several very in touch sources.

Billy Donovan can make his case for landing Boynton better than any of the other schools. Why? Because Florida is going to have a front court that is as loaded as it gets for the next three years. That is the perfect scenario for a guard with Boynton's talents. Teams are going to have to sag back into the paint, which will open Boynton up to burn it from the outside. If they try to extend to the wing, he's got the quickness to get into the lane and the explosiveness to finish. If he's challenged, he can dump it off to one of a half dozen Gators that are going to be all too willing to finish with a dunk.

Consider this. In 2009, the Gators will have post players like Chandler Parsons (6-9), Alex Tyus (6-9), Kenny Kadji (6-10), Eloy Vargas (6-10), Allan Chaney (6-9), Vernon Macklin (6-9), Erik Murphy (6-11) and Deshawn Painter (6-9). There may not be a school in the country with as many talented big men.

Memphis? They'll still be trying to get Angel Garcia to learn enough English to write a complete sentence. If the NCAA will do its homework, the Tigers will also be on probation by then.

Duke? The Plumlee brothers would rather shoot threes along with Kyle Singler. Lots of three-point shooters at Duke, but who's going to get you the ball. Better yet, who are you going to stop on the inside?

Georgia Tech? Oh please. Miami? Please again.

Texas? Good possibility Rick Barnes will have some bigs that can play, so figure the Longhorns as a darkhorse here.

Another factor is Vargas, one of Boynton's best buddies, and Ray Shipman, another of his close friends from south Florida. Last August after Team Breakdown won the AAU Nationals, Boynton went to Dominican Republic for 10 days with Vargas. They talk and text EVERY day. Shipman is another close friend and he's going to be an impact freshman for the Gators in 2008-09.

If Boynton signs with Florida, which right now looks like he will do, then you can pencil in Knight in 2010. Throw in Austin Rivers coming to UF in 2011 and you have the makings of a team that could win some championships.

CAMPUS SIGHTINGS AND NOTES: Eloy Vargas is about 10-14 days away from starting rehab on his ankle. He had surgery about a week ago, apparently for some bone spurs or fragments.

We're hearing that Kenny Kadji is showing a variety of nice moves in the post in afternoon pickup games. He's been seen taking the ball off the boards and starting the break on the dribble a few times in most impressive fashion ... Ray Shipman, we hear, is a streaky shooter but he can get his points in a variety of other ways. We're hearing he tweaked an ankle and might have to miss a couple of days working out ... Allan Chaney isn't quite 6-9, more like 6-8 and a half but he's on a growth spurt. He's got really long arms and room to add 35 pounds of muscle over the next two years. We're hearing he runs the floor really well ... Erving Walker, we hear, will have to learn to play good defense but the kid can really shoot and he makes extraordinary decisions with the ball in his hands.

With the veterans, we're hearing that Adam Allen is doing things handling the ball that no one would have thought possible last year. His shot is still really sweet ... Chandler Parsons is seen around campus with a bandaged thumb that he sprained a couple of days ago. It's pretty obvious that he's gained some more weight in the upper body ... We're hearing that Dan Werner is looking like he's ready to play full time at the small forward. Heard he made a couple of inside moves the other day that had teammates shaking their heads and wondering where that came from? ... Jai Lucas is pushing 160 now and seems to have regained his fearlessness about going into the lane. After getting body slammed against Vandy at the O-Dome he rarely ventured into the lane again last season. Heard he is more aggressive looking for his shot ... Heard that yesterday Walter Hodge hit three absolute bombs in a row with a big hanging all over him ... We've also heard that Alex Tyus has put on upper body weight and is playing on the offensive end with a lot of confidence ... A couple of folks who have watched pickup games say that Vernon Macklin has Horford-like passing skills. He's 230-ish now but he's got the frame that could easily handle 250.

CALATHES UPDATE: Nick Calathes has worked out with both the Greek Olympic team and the 19-and-under team for the FIBA Euro championships. He got his passport last week so it's definite that he'll be playing for one of those teams.

In conversations with his dad, it seems to me that he's more likely to play with the 19-and-under team at the Euro tournament that will be held in Riga, Latvia. He'd be a backup on the Olympic team but most likely the starter at the point for the younger team. The Greeks are trying to build for 2012 anyway, so it's more likely that Nick will be on the young team.

Older brother Pat Calathes is playing on the summer league team with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers are in desperate need of a dial long distance guy since they traded Kyle Korver so Pat's got a real chance to make the team. His agent has also been contacted about playing pro in both Greece and Italy. The Italians pay better but in Greece Pat would be able to play as a national which means a much better situation overall.

THE FLORIDA RECRUITING BOARD FOR CLASS OF 2009:

1. ERIK MURPHY (6-11, 220, Southborough, MA St. Mark's School, #21 ESPN Top 100): Took Derrick Favors to the cleaners at adidas It Takes5. He's solid as a rock with Florida, too. COMMITTED TO FLORIDA. STOCK WAY WAY UP

2. DESHAWN PAINTER (6-9, 200, Chatham, VA Hargrave Military, #23 ESPN Top 100): Blocking shots again. He'll be playing for Boo Williams at Peach Jam in North Augusta, SC June 12-15. Looking to see a good matchup against Orton. COMMITTED TO FLORIDA. STOCK WAY UP

3. KENNY BOYNTON (6-2, 180, Plantation, FL American Heritage, #3 ESPN Top 100): No doubt about it, he and Brandon Knight are the best high school guard tandem in the country. He's shooting, he's dunking and best of all playing defense at Reebok U. The Gators are up there at the top. Don't believe this Miami, Georgia Tech, Duke stuff. He'll decide in August after making at least a cameo at Billy’s Elite Camp August 1-2. STOCK WAY UP

4. MFON UDOFIA (6-2, 180, Lithonia, GA Miller Creek, #51 ESPN Top 100): Once again, the question is will he wait to see what Boynton does? There's some talk that he might cave to some Georgia Tech pressure for a commitment. HOLDING PATTERN

5. MICHAEL SNAER (6-5, 200, Moreno Valley, CA Rancho Verde, #89 ESPN Top 100): He's been impressive at Reebok U and UF's coaches have taken it all in. Gators are a player. STOCK UP

6. LORENZO BROWN (6-4, 180, Roswell, GA Centennial, #35 ESPN Top 100): He's got NC State on the brain but Memphis is moving on up. He's still telling everybody that Florida is a solid number two but that might be a stretch. STOCK DROPPING

7. ANTHONY MARSHALL (6-2, 180, North Las Vegas, NV Mojave, #92 ESPN Top 100): Not great at anything but really good at a lot of things. Gators are in the hunt. STOCK UP

8. DURAND SCOTT (6-5, 180, New York, NY Rice, #56 ESPN TOP 100): He's back on the list. He hasn't mentioned the Gators for six weeks. Now he can't stop talking about them. STOCK UP

9. DERRICK FAVORS (6-9, 220, Atlanta, GA South Atlanta, #1 ESPN): Still a long shot and still a great player. He did get schooled by Murphy this week, however. HOLDING PATTERN

10. DANIEL ORTON (6-10, 245, Oklahoma City, OK Bishop McGuinness, #15 ESPN Top 100): He'll should go against DeMarcus Cousins and Painter at Peach Jam. Everybody will be watching. I keep hearing Rock Chalk Jayhawk. STOCK DROPPING

11. ROBERTO NELSON (6-4, 180, Santa Barbara, CA, #93 EPSN Top 100): He's still talking about the Gators. STOCK DROPPING

OFF THE LIST: Nolan Dennis (6-4, 180, North Richland Hills, TX Richland #25 ESPN Top 100), COMMITTED TO MEMPHIS

ON THE HORIZON:

ABDUL GADDY (6-3, 180, Tacoma, WA Bellarmine Prep, #14 ESPN Top 100): He had a real battle head to head with Kenny Boynton at Reebok U.

FREDDIE RILEY (6-5, 180, Chatham, VA Hargrave Military): He doesn't miss when he's open.

JAMES PADGETT (6-7, 210, Brooklyn, NY Abraham Lincoln): Can't confirm that he's got any kind of Florida offer. He says he does, though. South Carolina's all over him.

AROUND THE SEC:

ALABAMA (12 on scholarship, 3 seniors): Needs point guard, power inside guy and a wing that can shoot.

Commitment (1): Cully Payne (6-0, 170, Schaumberg, IL)

Nobody was shocked when Reger Dowell de-committed last week. With Dowell off the board, Alabama is going to throw everything into recruiting Eric Bledsoe (6-0, 160, Birmingham, AL Parker, #76 ESPN Top 100). He's the quick point guard they need ... If Alabama whiffs on Christian Watford (6-7, 220, Birmingham Shades Valley Tech, #11 ESPN Top 100) the natives are going to get VERY restless. If Watford joins DeMarcus Cousins (6-10, 255, Mobile, AL LeFlore, #9 ESPN Top 100) at UAB, anything short of an NCAA bid won't save Mark Gottfried ... Bama might have pulled ahead for Glen Rice (6-5, 188, Marietta, GA Walton), who shoots well, just not like his dad.

ARKANSAS (11 on scholarship, 0 seniors): Need low post, power forward and a point guard.

COMMITS (1): Marshawn Powell (6-8, 225, Charlottesville, VA The Miller School)

Powell has been getting rave reviews this week ... Clarence Trent (6-8, 230, Henderson, NV Findlay Prep, #59 ESPN Top 100) has added a jump shot to his power moves on the inside. He's getting a lot of love from UNLV but it will be a shock if he goes anywhere but Arkansas ... Arkansas looks like a lock for Anthony Borden (6-10, 220, West Memphis, AR) but he might have a hard time qualifying. He's making prep school reservations just in case.

AUBURN (13 on scholarship including one transfer eligible 2009, 3 seniors): Need size, more size, a wing that can shoot and a point guard.

COMMITMENTS (2): Andre Malone (6-4, 200, College Park, GA North Clayton); Robert Chubb (6-9, 200, Peachtree City, GA McIntosh County)

Boubacar Sylla has taken his 7-1, 230-pound body to Wyoming, where he will be someone else's project. His place on the roster has been taken by Oklahoma transfer Tony Nesmith, a 6-5 guard who will have three years of eligibility when he can play again in 2009 ... Malone has had a great summer shooting the ball and Chubb is looking less like a project and more like someone who will step in and contribute as a freshman ... Auburn has moved up the charts with Tevin Baskin (6-6, 190, Stamford, CT Trinity Catholic, #87 ESPN Top 100) ... Auburn is trying to make a play for three bigs but at the top of the list is Torin Walker (6-10, 225, Columbus, GA Northside), who also has Georgia making a strong play ... Another big that Auburn could have a real shot at landing is Daniel Miller (6-10, 235, Loganville, GA Loganville Christian).

GEORGIA (11 on scholarship, 2 seniors): Needs a center, another power player, an athletic wing and a point.

COMMITMENTS (1): DeMario Mayfield (6-3, 175, Carnesville, GA Franklin County)

Jeremy Jacob transferred out last week, opening up a fourth scholarship for the 2009 recruiting class ... There is a lot of talk that Derrick Favors (6-9, 220, Atlanta, GA South Atlanta, #1 ESPN Top 100) might be leaning Georgia's way after all. A lot of folks seem to think that in the end, it will be Georgia and Georgia Tech with Georgia winning out ... Whichever team --- Georgia or Georgia Tech --- gets Terrance Shannon (6-6, 220, Forsyth, GA Mary Persons) convinced is likely to get Favors ... Georgia has been all over Thomas Robinson (6-8, 210, Upper Marlboro, MD Riverdale Baptist) who is on a lot more radars after showing up big this week at Reebok U ... The Bulldogs really like what they see of Andrew Fitzgerald (6-9, 245, Baltimore, MD Owings Mill, #75 ESPN Top 100) but so does everybody else. He's another rising star ... Georgia's one week flirtation with Kammeon Hosley (6-8, 200, Sparta, GA Hancock Central) is over almost before it began. He's got Georgia Tech as his leader and Georgia isn't on his favorite's list.

KENTUCKY (12 on scholarship including one transfer eligible in 2009, 1 senior): Needs a couple of bigs, a point guard and another shooter.

2009 Commitments (2): Jon Hood (6-6, 180, Madisonville, KY North Hopkins, #100 ESPN Top 100); G.J. Vilarno (5-9, 160, McKinney, TX)

Still no word on DeAndre Liggins. He is in school and the Kentucky faithful seem to think he's going to qualify. I keep hearing that it's more likely that he will be in school in the fall but he will have to sit out a year before he's allowed to play ... Kentucky has made a big play for Terrence Boyd (6-5, 230, Norman, OK) who played at Oak Hill Academy last year. Is it a coincidence that he happens to play on the same AAU team as Daniel Orton (6-10, 245, Oklahoma City, OK Bishop McGuinness, #15 ESPN Top 100)? I still think Kentucky is deluding itself about him. Rock Chalk Jayhawk! ... Kentucky made a play for Indiana transfer Jordan Crawford the younger brother of Joe, but he just said no ... Chris Braswell (6-8, 225, Chatham, VA Hargrave Military) didn't qualify at Georgetown so he's back to Hargrave. Kentucky is expected to make a really big play here ... Jon Hood has been on radar lock with his shooting from the wing at adidas ... Kentucky is making a play for every point guard in the country it seems. That should send a signal to Vilarno that the Wildcats have other plans. Nobody should be surprised if he de-commits soon.

LSU (13 on scholarship, 5 seniors): Needs a lot of size, a point guard with quickness and some shooters.

COMMITMENTS (1): Brandon Mitchell (6-3, 180, Amite, LA)

With Tennessee backing away from Ferrakohn Hall (6-7, 215, Memphis, TN White Station), LSU has moved in quickly. Hall would love an offer from Kentucky but even though he played well at the UK Elite Camp, no offer so far. LSU could be where he ends up ... The Tigers like Colin Reddick (6-9, 245, Atlanta, GA Whitefield Academy) but they might have to like his teammate Cameron Baskerville (6-6, 220, Atlanta, GA Whitefield Academy) to make that happen ... Terrance Shannon (6-6, 220, Forsyth, GA Mary Persons) is someone LSU likes but not hearing that Shannon is returning the interest.

MISSISSIPPI STATE (12 on scholarship, 1 senior):Needs center, shooter and a point guard.

COMMITMENTS (0):

Everything points to Rick Stansbury landing Keith Gallon (6-9, 332, Mouth of Wilson, Virgina Oak Hill Academy) and Shaunessy Smith (6-5, 195, Macon, MS Noxubee County, #41 ESPN Top 100) ... The Bulldogs need another point guard to complement Dee Bost but they have a numbers crunch right now unless someone transfers out. Given the history of Mississippi State's revolving door, expect the Bulldogs to oversign now and sort out the mess later.

OLE MISS (13 on scholarship, 0 seniors): Needs a couple of bigs and a point guard.

COMMITMENTS (1): Reggie Buckner (6-8, 205, Memphis, TN Manassas)

Buckner was a good pickup last week for Andy Kennedy, who needs another big in this class and a point guard but he's got a numbers crunch ... The second big will probably be Murphy Holloway if he ends up at prep school instead of juco. They're still waiting to hear from the clearinghouse just how close he is ... If Holloway ends up at juco, then the target will probably be Johnnie Williams (6-9, 220, Memphis, TN Briarcrest Christian) ... As for a point guard, the target is Eric Bledsoe (6-0, 160, Birmingham, AL Parker, #76 ESPN Top 100) with the backup targets Ramon Galloway (6-2, 170, Palm Beach Gardens, FL Dwyer) and Carl Blair (6-2, 180, Jackson, MS Provine).


SOUTH CAROLINA (11 on scholarship, 1 senior): Needs at least two bigs, a scorer on the wings and a point.

COMMITMENTS (0):

South Carolina has made a good run at Sherrod Wright (6-4, 190, Mt. Vernon, NY). He would be an excellent complement on the wing to Lakeem Jackson (6-5, 210, Arden, NC Christ School), who has become the top target in this class ... South Carolina would take Colin Reddick (6-9, 245, Atlanta, GA Whitefield Academy) and Cameron Baskerville (6-6, 220, Atlanta, GA Whitefield Academy) as a package deal ... South Carolina is trying to get in the mix for Daniel Miller (6-10, 235, Loganville, GA Loganville Christian Academy) ... Ben Eblen (6-0, 170, Melbourne, FL Florida Air) and Ramon Galloway (6-2, 170, Palm Beach Gardens, FL Dwyer) are probably their best bets for a point guard.

TENNESSEE (13 on scholarship, 1 senior): Needs power forward, athletic wing and a point guard.

2009 Commitments (1): Kenny Hall (6-9, 215, Stone Mountain, GA Redan)

The Vols have cooled suddenly on Ferrakohn Hall (6-7, 215, Memphis, TN White Station) but that could be a numbers thing. They figure to lose Tyler Smith to the NBA but they're not so sure about Wayne Chism. They're very happy with commit Kenny Hall, who tried out for the US 19-and-under team that is playing in the FIBA Americas Tournament in Argentina next week ... Tennessee has jumped into the fray for Andrew Fitzgerald (6-9, 245, Baltimore, MD Owings Mill, #75 ESPN Top 100) and they really liked what they saw this week of Thomas Robinson (6-8, 210, Upper Marlboro, MD Riverdale Baptist).


VANDERBILT (12 on scholarship, 0 seniors): Needs shooter from the wings and point guard.

2009 Commitments (1): John Jenkins (6-4, 180, Gallatin, TN Station Camp, #85 ESPN Top 100)

Jenkins is probably the best shooter in the 2009 class. He's lit everybody up at every stop this summer. He was on radar lock at LeBron James Skills Academy in Akron ... Vandy needs a pure point guard but it's not like the Commodores to oversign. If they sign one more in this class it's a sure sign that nobody's confident A.J. Ogilvy is planning to stay for a junior season.