Local 2011 Big Men (PF & C)

[Huntsville Hoya]

Just glancing on CapHoops.com and I noticed some decent size in the 2011 local class. Are any of these guys any good? I'm in Huntsville, AL so I wouldn't have the slightest idea how these guys look. Is JT III still beating the bushes locally for quality rebounding and scoring big men?

John Manning 6'11 Chantilly HS
Jordan Omogbeihim 7'0 Montrose
Mikael Hopkins 6'8 Dematha
Taylor Abt 6'7 G'town prep

[idhoya]

On all of em. Esp. Manning and Jordan and Hopkins. Manning visited during MM.

[Huntsville Hoya]

What do their games look like. Are they more Ewing Jr or Lubick? Either way is cool, just would like to match up better phisically in the BE.

[idhoya]

saw Jordan on ESPN when Montrose played Oak Hill last week. He's long and developing. Somewhat slim, but you can see build will come. Has a face up J, but don't see it much. Montrose features Mouph, Armwood and some youngins so he doesn't get much shine. Right now a shot blocker. He is legit 7-foot and very long. Saw Hopkins vs. O'Connell and the sky's the limit with him.

[hoyasexy]

I saw Hopkins play this season and was very impressed with his athleticism. Very long and bouncy. Grabbed every available rebound. Very raw on the offensive end (read: couldn't convert on anything on the inside), but he looks like he has the physical tools to improve. Needs to add some muscle, but he is only a sophomore in high school, so I'm sure he will.

[hoyarooter]

Apr 13, 2009 15:03:10 GMT -5 idhoya said:

saw Jordan on ESPN when Montrose played Oak Hill last week. He's long and developing. Somewhat slim, but you can see build will come. Has a face up J, but don't see it much. Montrose features Mouph, Armwood and some youngins so he doesn't get much shine. Right now a shot blocker. He is legit 7-foot and very long. Saw Hopkins vs. O'Connell and the sky's the limit with him.

Paging lic, come in, lic...

[RBHoya]

I want two of these guys in 2011. Doesn't look like there is much true size on the way in 2009 or 2010, though that could change. I'd like one of the true centers and then a high-level PF, though who knows what the staff is looking for.

Jordan O and Manning are the 2 most obvious prospects at center, and both were at Midnight Madness last year. There's also Matt Gorski who is 6'11 or 7' out of Richmond (which is why he's not on capitolhoops) who is playing with Team Takeover I believe and getting interest from several Big East schools already (including us). These guys are still young and a lot of big guys develop late, so they'll be interesting to follow the next few years. I watched Montrose a couple times this year, but Jordan O was pretty firmly planted on the bench behind Mouph Yarou. He should move into the lineup next year and will have a point guard who can get him the ball in Kendall Marshall, so there's a chance he blows up. Lot of good things have been said about all 3 players though.


At PF there are lots of guys on the radar including Grandy Glaze, CJ Barksdale, Hopkins and many others. LOT of good players there, and UNC can't land all of 'em


True center, dominant PF, and a combo who can handle, that's the 2011 wish list for me.

[justabballfan]

I think Hopkins will be the best out of all of them. He is super athletic.

Not sure what to think about Manning. He playing in the NOVA public school league. So basically he is being guarded by 6'0 Asian guys in the post. He needs to transfer to a more competetive school. I respect that he wanted to stay in Chantilly to play with his friends when he was 14. But now he should be focusing on college and his game. You are not going to take your game to the next level playing against the competition in the NOVA public school league.

[tpk3]

i think staff is definitely focused on getting center from 2011 class. don't know who is best yet. still early.

[harwoodhoya]

I like Hopkins. He is raw but very athletic if he adds weight he will be a big problem for the bext 2 years. We will see what's up next year since their 2 top players, selby and Hibbert will be gone. I coached against Manning last year and was not impressed.
He is a slow big man who is not Gtown like. He reminds me a lot of Neil Fingelton who went to unc then finished at holy cross. Soft just soft. I agree I'd like to see him at Montrose or a WCAC school.

[RBHoya]

Who does Hopkins play AAU with, anybody know?

Manning is a wait and see guy. I agree it's a bit of a bummer he's not playing at a higher level place. I read that he considered going to Gonzaga but ultimately the commute was a bit too long to make daily. Not sure if any of the other WCAC schools are closer, or if not, what good schools are out toward Chantilly. He may be soft for the time being but at his size he is certainly worth keeping an eye on.

[HoyasAreHungry]

Paul VI is closer as is O'Connell and Ireton

[homeonthehilltop]

Is this talk about 2011 making anyone else nervous???

[justabballfan]

Because Manning lives in Fairfax county, I believe that he is not eligible to transfer into a WCAC school. He would have to sit out a year if he was to transfer. Montrose seems like a better option.

[HoyasAreHungry]

out of curiosity why would he have to sit out?

[hoyasexy]

The only WCAC transfer rule that I am familiar with is the one that requires a player to sit for a year when transferring within the conference. That rule wouldn't apply to Manning, though.

[RBHoya]

Apr 20, 2009 11:11:18 GMT -5 @justabballfan said:

Because Manning lives in Fairfax county, I believe that he is not eligible to transfer into a WCAC school. He would have to sit out a year if he was to transfer. Montrose seems like a better option.

Commute to Montrose from Chantilly seems pretty long, and long commute I believe is one of the main reasons he opted against going to Gonzaga of the WCAC originally. Not sure if Montrose has dorms and stuff? But either way they already have another 7 footer in the same year as Manning so that doesn't make much sense.

Maybe he'll just prove himself in AAU.

[kghoya]

Apr 21, 2009 8:14:41 GMT -5 hoyasexy said:

The only WCAC transfer rule that I am familiar with is the one that requires a player to sit for a year when transferring within the conference. That rule wouldn't apply to Manning, though.

local kids have to be enrolled at a wcac school by aug 15th BEFORE their sophomore year in order to be eligible right away

if they show up after that date...they have to sit out that season

manning wont be going to a wcac school

[hoyaboya]

John Manning was quoted by Dave Telep at Spiece this weekend as listing Georgetown, George Mason, Virginia Tech and NC State.