For What it's Worth - Brandon Rush

[Littlematty]

I read an interesting recruiting article regarding Brandon Rush!

Brandon Rush (6'6 SG/SF) widely regarded as one of the top recruits in the class of 2005 is in the process of setting up official visits for the spring. According to his HS coach at MT. Zion he will be visiting Oklahoma, UNLV, and Georgetown. These are the only three visits as of now. Take it for what it's worth, but this kid would be a huge get for G'town.

[SFHoya99]

Welcome, Littlematty.

Rush would be a fantastic get.

[DanMcQ]

Air said:

According to insiders, he only wants to visit, GTown, Oklahoma, and UNLV. Man this would be a big recruit if we can land him.

scout.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=9&cfg=bb&c=2&cid=359297

[Nevada Hoya]

Definitely can't let UNLV get him.

[IceHoya]

G'Town, Oklahoma, and UNLV? What a diverse, different set of 3 schools for a kid from Kansas City.

Weird.

But wow, ranked #1 on Rivals for '05 Small Forwards, and #4 overall. This would be simply amazing.

[RBHoya]

Would be a great get for us because hed bring a lot of pub to the program. He'd really put as back on the map, and most likely help us to sell out some games. Hed also bring network attention, which would help us to bring more recruits in the future.

On the downside, he probably wouldnt be here for long, and may well be more interested in looking good for scouts than winning within the Princeton concept.

[HOYAPLAYA]

On occassional big-time player who only stays for two years is not a bad thing, especially if he prevents you from having to have players in your rotation who aren't ready in their freshman years. Listen, I don't want a team of players like this but you can't realistically win it all these days without these types of players.

[NCHoya]

In my mind, if JTIII can get Rush here in only his second year he would solidify himself as an elite recruiter which would only give me more confidence in our future.

I agree with everyone, Rush (even if he stays 1 or 2 years) would bring ridiculous press coverage, increased TV exposure and probably a few more wins that would feed into attracting more and better recruits to Georgetown for years to come.

Of his three vastly different choices, the school he can get the ball the most and singlehandedly win games would be at UNLV, but he would be relegated to west coast where PR is hard to come by. Meanwhile, OU's Sampson is a tremendous coach known for his development of players. He is a hardass and will not hesitate to light up his players if they are struggling. Finally, the Hoyas can offer Rush the chance to play the best talent in the country in the expanded Big East every night. Of the three, this would also be the biggest media market to showcase his play. If he could help revive Georgetown to dominance again that would go a long way to enhance his reputation.

Besides, once he visits our campus, if he really wants a true college experience for a few years, there will be no question where he goes.

[SirSaxa]

RBHoya said:

On the downside, he probably wouldnt be here for long, and may well be more interested in looking good for scouts than winning within the Princeton concept.

I think those are very vaild points. But I also think T3 will not take him unless he is convinced that he can work with Rush and get him on board the team concept.

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Posted by: NCHoya
Posted on: Today at 10:42:30

In my mind, if JTIII can get Rush here in only his second year he would solidify himself as an elite recruiter which would only give me more confidence in our future.
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That is a good point too. It would get the attention of a lot of other recruits and it would have to boost T3's confidence as a recruiter as well.

[RDF]

Guys, one thing I love about Rush's recruitment is that while he's a physically talented player, he's also one of those who might not be a 1/2 year player. His game needs refinement and consistency. Out of all the options provided above, GU offers him the best shot to develop his game and against the top competition in the Country. I think the Big XII is an outstanding league as well but with expansion of Big East, this league is going to be LEGENDARY and get more exposure than anyone--well of course ACC will but I mean LEGIT exposure and not just because of the hype/BS spun by media. For all the talk about being a "deep" conference, I think Big East has consistently proven it's deep and with additions that will erase any doubts.

One thing that could play into our benefit that nobody has mentioned is how III's system is attractive for a player like Rush. You get to handle the ball, show all of your skills and are forced to develop your game. It's also beneficial to have Washington Wizards running same offense and players preaching about how they love it in National publications--(Sporting News This Week did an indepth article about "Princeton" offense of Eddie Jordan how guys love it). Good recruit to go after and just shows that this Staff is busting their butts on recruiting trail. I expect this type of recruitment to become the norm with Hoyas and that has me really excited.

I know Lon Krueger's NBA background and glitz of Las Vegas are attractive, but I can't imagine someone with NBA aspirations turning down the chance to prove himself against top competition in Country.

As for OU, Sampson is a terrific coach but is known for stifling the game of his SF's as he prefers a 3 guard offense with undersized backcourt--two lead guards. He's also recruited a very good JC SF/SG type in Michael Neal and has Terrell Everett returning to play with his Sophomore Backcourt of McKenzie and Lavender. He's had trouble with talented SF/SG's in past and his lack of development with D'Angelo Alexander caused him to transfer last year. It's closer to his home in KC, but distance won't be a factor from what I've heard.

While I don't discount any of those teams or someone else stepping into picture, I do like GU's chances and it will be a matter of how Rush feels about Hoyas when he takes his visit. If he likes environment and sees himself as a fit and vice versa, we've got as good of a shot landing him as anyone else. JT made a huge impression upon Brandon's mother when he did his inhome with older brother Jaron and in fact she admitted that she liked him best of all the coaches that visited the Rush home. Outside factors (AAU Coach Myron Piggie, etc..) played a factor in our plight, but it sure couldn't hurt that JT is around program and his son is running show now.

[GIGAFAN99]

And there, from RDF is what isn't discussed enough in recruiting. Yeah, an NCAA appearance this year would be nice but our recruiting is not going to suffer with an NIT bid.

JTIII can sell a new beginning. In his first year, we had a good year with a young team and in his second year the rebirth continues in the highest-profile conference in the nation. All this and the opening line "I'm John Thompson from Georgetown" are huge positives for us on the recruting trail.

I'm not worried about an NCAA bid from a recruiting standpoint. I'm more worried about bags of cash and "special hosts" at big football schools than anything on our end.

[idhoya]

I think our efforts wednesday showed alot of people that he can coach, we just don't have the horses right now. when we do get 'em........

[JPM32]

[Edited.] No checkbook analogies, please.

[nychoya3]

The one thing every report, and some aren't quite so glowing, says about Rush is that he is the best finisher in his class. That is, when he takes it to the basket, he finishes in traffic with his athleticism and strength. He's the definition of a slasher. I'm picturing him taking a backdoor pass from Jeff at the top of the key and just slamming on people every game. Now, when guys like Reed or Wallace take those passes, they often have to dribble out, rather than get swatted by the bigs inside. No problem like that for Brandon. Another swing man isn't our primary need, at the moment, but taking Brandon gives us the chance to start a Rush, Bowman, Green frontcourt next year. That's just sick.

If it means guys like Egerson and Spann have to sit a bit more in their first year than anticipated, so be it.

Also, the Rush family probably isn't desperate for cash, considering Kareem is making a pretty good living for himself. And Jaron is a guy who knows better than anyone the perils of leaving early and falling into "the life" at one of these big basketball factories.

[HoyaDestroya]

interview with Rush (skip over the ugly baldy to get to it)... I like the quote about being a good passer - shows some potential of working within the system.

nbadraft.net/mason001.asp

[NCHoya]

HoyaDestroya said:

interview with Rush (skip over the ugly baldy to get to it)... I like the quote about being a good passer - shows some potential of working within the system.

nbadraft.net/mason001.asp

What I like even more is that he is not on NBADraft.net board for this year's draft! The NBA is no longer an issue and I like our chances against OU and UNLV.

[jerseyhoya34]

Great points in this thread from RDF and others. JT3 is doing a hell of a job right now by just shaking the trees to see what is left for 2005-2006, and Rush is one part of that. If the best case scenario works itself out, were going to have a very serious basketball team next season in terms of being able to play well into March.

[NickSixers]

RBHoya said:

On the downside, he probably wouldnt be here for long, and may well be more interested in looking good for scouts than winning within the Princeton concept.

You've got to remember the upcoming new NBA CBA, which could institute a 20 year old rule, or even a rule like the NFL's in which you can't enter until 2 years after your high school class graduates. Could make for some interesting recruiting in the next few years.

[AllyI]

Are there OU or UNLV boards we could check for info on Rush? Maybe they've heard rumors we haven't (e.g., he's leaning twrds G'town).

[SpanishHoya]

Maybe JTIII isn't as concerned with adding another big man as some people on this board. With Jeff Green still growing (and developing a MONSTER blocking ability!) and 18 year old Hibbert developing, JTIII might think that adding another SF would be better suiting for his brand of bball