Memphis’ Next Generation
Words. HShoop
Year after year, John Calipari comes off the recruiting trail with nationally acclaimed prizes. He snared speedster Derrick Rose in ’07, the perfect compliment to the prized recruits he drew in ’04 (Joey Dorsey), ’05 (Chris Douglas-Roberts) and ’06 (Willie Kemp and Doneal Mack).
Cal’s challenge is to continue to add pieces, while knowing that successful additions will likely move to the League after a year or two of service. Within the last six years, Memphis has had four commits defect to the NBA before graduation: Rodney Carney, Kendrick Perkins, Sean Banks and Shawne Williams. Their departure creates room for commits who might otherwise be hidden underneath this NBA-ready talent. Case in point, Jeff Robinson. The four-star small forward from St. Patrick’s (Elizabeth, N.J.) barely sees burn on this year’s 22-0 team, but will undoubtedly be a big part of next year’s group.
Two pieces who will fight for shine on the ’08-09 Tigers are Cal’s top two recruits, 6-10 Angel Garcia (East Chicago, Ind.) and 6-8 Matt Simpkins (Patterson, N.C.). But the jury is still out as to whether these future frontcourt contributors will live up to the astronomical standard set by the Tigers’ recent newcomers.
Garcia has the size and touch to develop into the ultimate package, but he hasn’t put it together consistently during his senior year. He scored 16 points during an 85-65 win over Hammond, in which he banged four dunks and added a deep three-ball in the middle of January. On February 9th, he nearly cost his team by drawing a technical foul during the game’s final minute when up 86-85 against Lew Wallace. He only had 12 points in that effort.
Simpkins looks most comfortable when suspended mid-air about to throw down a dunk. He could definitely develop Joey Dorsey’s windmill with proper teaching. But when not on the fast break, he lacks that explosiveness.
It remains to be seen whether Cal can shape these two prospects into players he can insert into the lineup, or whether they’ll toil on the bench behind the Tigers who have been biding their time, waiting for a chance.
[...] Tennessee and Memphis. And he??s right. Big instate rivalry, the 2 team knocksrealsportsbloggers.comMemphis?? Next Generation Year after year, John Calipari comes off the recruiting trail with nationally acclaimed prizes. He [...]