Shane Larkin Likes VCU

[getSmart]

http://wakeforest.scout.com/2/972819.html

looks like Larkin is finally getting noticed by the big boys. He has an offer from Clemson and Miami from the ACC and Wake and Duke are talking to him. He stated that who ever recruits him the hardest will win. But I think he means the highest profile offer will win.

But it sounds like we have a chance to steal an under the radar PG in Freddie Jackson. So let's hope that Freddie picks us and that Shane has a nice career somewhere other than Alabama, who is BTW recruiting him now.

 

[YouveBeenRammed]

http://wakeforest.scout.com/2/972819.html

looks like Larkin is finally getting noticed by the big boys. He has an offer from Clemson and Miami from the ACC and Wake and Duke are talking to him. He stated that who ever recruits him the hardest will win. But I think he means the highest profile offer will win.

But it sounds like we have a chance to steal an under the radar PG in Freddie Jackson. So let's hope that Freddie picks us and that Shane has a nice career somewhere other than Alabama, who is BTW recruiting him now.

Has anyone else noticed that 'Bama is recruited a lot of guys we are recruiting? Interesting...

 

[districtballer]

http://wakeforest.scout.com/2/972819.html

looks like Larkin is finally getting noticed by the big boys. He has an offer from Clemson and Miami from the ACC and Wake and Duke are talking to him. He stated that who ever recruits him the hardest will win. But I think he means the highest profile offer will win.

But it sounds like we have a chance to steal an under the radar PG in Freddie Jackson. So let's hope that Freddie picks us and that Shane has a nice career somewhere other than Alabama, who is BTW recruiting him now.

Has anyone else noticed that 'Bama is recruited a lot of guys we are recruiting? Interesting...

It's not surprising since we both employ the same full-court pressure system from Florida. They are both Billy Donovan disciples in that regard so it shouldn't be surprising to see them recruiting the same types of players either. If anything it's good to know that we are going up against BCS schools for the kinds of players they want for their system.

Plus, most of the guys Grant is getting at 'Bama would never look twice at VCU. He's doing a good job on his own there without copy-cat recruiting us. There are only so many quality players in a given year and good programs will recruit them. I highly doubt Grant's staff looks at who Shaka is recruiting and says, "Okay recruit whoever they do".

 

[myrtlebeachramfan]

Reco had an offer in hand from NC State. He was waiting on Wake Forest, but the offer never came. I still think Larkin is a long-shot, but if we get him, that would be unreal.[/q]

He stated he was looking for a tight-knit group w/family atmosphere. Lets get him to a home game and he will see just how exciting VCU basketball is and how much support he will get.

 

[BaNgMyPrOgRaM]

Reco had an offer in hand from NC State. He was waiting on Wake Forest, but the offer never came. I still think Larkin is a long-shot, but if we get him, that would be unreal.[/q]

He stated he was looking for a tight-knit group w/family atmosphere. Lets get him to a home game and he will see just how exciting VCU basketball is and how much support he will get.

That's what I was thinking.

--
It seems like the main job of a HC. And of course winning. I wonder how different it is for them, when they HC at a school like Duke or UF, compared to a VCU or GUM

 

[RamJamFan]

Any insider updates on this outstanding FL PG? Scouts still shows VCU as "high interest". I see he is a 4-star and ESPN rated at 96.

Hope this isn't redundant, but I didn't see this link previously posted and loved his coaches comments:
http://www.dphoops.com/Player_Profiles.html

[Coach Long's comments on Shane Larkin......"Last year I said that Shane has the potential to become one of the best, if not the best, players that I have ever coached. Well, this year I need to amend that statement. Shane now IS one of the best players I've ever had the privilege of coaching. Shane has now joined four other guards that I have coached that were honored as 1st Team All-State selections (Melvin McCray and Orien Greene at Gainesville; Jason Rich and Chris Warren at DP), two of which were Parade All-Americans (Greene and Rich), and Shane's game and skill set is equal to all of them. Shane was phenomenal for us last year and has only gotten better over the summer. He's the highest of high level Division I point guard. He can do it all and do it well. He's a pleasure to coach and a pleasure to watch as a fan. He's an incredibly hard worker and very coachable. I can't wait to see where he leads us."]

 

[VCU RAM]

If you also look at the rest of what it says on that article:

Shane Larkin - Beyond Basketball

Favorite:
College Team: Wake Forest

After high school I want to.......start 4 years of college at a high D-1 school and make it to the NBA.

Reaffirms what we think about him wanting to come here. Wake Forest hasn't offered him yet but if they do, guess we can assume he's gonna go there to become a demon deacon..

 

[RamJamFan]

I didn't see Wake Forest reference but at least he's still high on VCU--I'll keep my finger's crossed as he'd be a great complement to our uptempo style, our bigs and the direciton our program is headed in general.

Regarding his other comments, I know we're a "mid" but VCU certainly will develop his game for the next level as well. Larry/Joey/Ed make for a great FL connection, Eric/Larry regarding NBA, and his family ties to OH have to make Shaka smile.

 

[vcu_dan]

I didn't see Wake Forest reference

Favorite:
Basketball player: Chris Paul
NBA Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
College Team: Wake Forest

His favorite college is Wake, and his favorite basketball player went to Wake. Lets hope they don't offer.

 

[ramramthankyoumaam]

http://georgiatech.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1106635

Shane Larkin - It was an excellent showing for Larkin in a losing effort. Going against Shannon Scott, Larkin stepped up his game and got things going in a big way. First Larkin did it by dishing the ball off, but then it was all about him scoring. Time after time Larkin would beat his man off the dribble and get all the way to the rim for a bucket or finish with a floater in the paint. Also his shot was on from deep where he was filling it up.

 

[VCU RAM]

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports ... n-ucf.html

Dr. Phillips guard Shane Larkin shows interest in UCF

Jones showed up at DP the day UCF officially announced he was taking the Knights job.

“That showed me they really wanted me,” Larkin said between AAU national tournament games at Disney this week. “Since then, UCF has probably given me the most attention of anybody. They call me every time the NCAA says they’re allowed to.”

“Coach Jones tells me he wants to put the ball in my hands,” said Larkin, a 6-foot guard who is a blur on the break and a magician with the basketball. “He told me he wants to get some top players from Orlando every year, and we can make a run at Memphis for the Conference USA title.”

http://varsity.orlandosentinel.com/os-h ... 642.column

Larkin has scholarship offers from a long list of schools, including FSU, Alabama, USF and George Mason, and said he favors nobody at this point. But his thoughts about staying home to play college ball have changed since one year ago, when he indicated UCF was on his board but nowhere near the top of the list.

"UCF is definitely an option for me now," the son of former Cincinnati Reds baseball star Barry Larkin said Tuesday. "It's close to home so my family and friends could come see me play. The new arena is very nice. There's a lot of positives."

 

[senor ram]

Don't mean to be a pessimist but I do not see this young man coming to VCU as he is surrounded by "big" name schools feeding his ego. He would be a great signing if he chooses our program and will face healthy competition here at the guard position. I trust our coaches will get the best fit for VCU and we may never know who this recruit will be.

 

[RamJamFan]

I don't think you're being pessimistic, anymore than a few years ago folks with the Butler program knew they had an up hill battle in landing some of the quality kids they did.

I agree that our coaches will bring in quality recruits...I would just love to see one of them be Larkin! Perhaps I am just being too hopeful that recruits realize our uptempo style, coupled with good incoming bigs, will provide them major opportunities at VCU in the years ahead. [VCU's recent Florida connections aren't bad either].

 

[BradRamFan]

To be honest, IMO, now is the time that we actually see how good of a recruiter Shaka actually is. Right now we have available viable backups for just about every position on the team. Regardless of who we lose next year to graduation we have someone available to take their spot...and they are on the team right now (whether they are starter material is something else entirely and not part of this post).

So anyone committing to the team now will be aware that they will be a year behind those who have already practiced with the team for a year and hopefully will have had the opportunity to play during the upcoming season.

Last year we lost our point guard in Eric and then Joey left (then came back) so theoretically there was an opening. This coming year we lost Ed and Brandon??? so that was good for this years incoming recruits...possible openings. This past season we lost Larry and Kiril and TJ...that left openings for guys like Reddick and Veal and DJ.

I guess the one/two places we could have slots would be for Skeen and Joey (depending on our backup point). But I think we have backups for both in place right now. That gives recruits something to think about....am I good enough to compete for a starting position....to contribute right away or am I going to be a backup....or a backup to a backup. Depending on how DJ plays (I've heard very positive things on one hand and I've heard he is awkward and raw on the other).

Anyway, Shaka has done a terrific job....especially as a 1st year coach to bring in some above the CAA talent. But with a full team complement now in place, it will not be as easy to get some to commit. But Perrie (sp) and Webber are a great start.

 

[RamJamFan]

Anyway, Shaka has done a terrific job....especially as a 1st year coach to bring in some above the CAA talent. But with a full team complement now in place, it will not be as easy to get some to commit. But Perrie (sp) and Webber are a great start.

Agree--it will be interesting to see recruits going forward. Building and sustaining are not the same. Shaka certainly is initially showing he can recruit in a building sense. Now turning this class into W's and sustaining expections is his next step. I think he will do it. Question then becomes if/when he does will he like Jeff and Anthony bolt, or does he stay to build something special? Perhaps RamNation is also part of that answer relative to supporting via donations and growth. As with business, a bb program is either moving foward or moving backward [compared to competition]--few things improve with status quo. Good days now in Ramland....