Big men jump on the radar screen

MILFORD, Del. -- Prior to the War On The Shore, names like Brandon Bass, Patrick Ewing and Linas Kleiza were tossed around as the best available unsigned big men in the Class of 2003. For some reason, Alexander Johnson’s name was left off that list.

Now, no list of available big men would be complete without Johnson’s name at or near the top.

Having problems placing Johnson? Can’t seem to remember what route he took to Bridgton Academy? Let us help.

Last year as a senior at Albany (Ga.) Dougherty, we ranked the big fella No. 50 on the final Top 100 list at TheInsidersHoops.com. Before the final ranking, we even had him higher than that but during the summer before his senior season was to begin, he didn’t quite dominate the way many expected him.

As a result, a few of his peers ascended past him on the recruiting lists. Yes, he had the body, the athleticism and at times he showed flashes, but he seemed to leave you wanting more.

Georgia wisely signed the prospect and held out the hope that he would make it academically. Unfortunately, Johnson wasn’t able to produce a qualifying score on the SAT and that’s just about the time he seemingly went covert on the basketball world.

The 6-foot-9 power forward journeyed north to Bridgton Academy in Maine where he says “ain’t nuttin’ up there but trees.” And of course basketball, which he’s playing at a higher level right now than we’ve ever seen him.

At the War On The Shore, Johnson was dominant at times but consistently good all the time. In his two games at the event, he put up 23 points and 10 rebounds in his first effort and 20 and 9 in his second. However, it wasn’t about points and rebounds.

What was most impressive was the manner by which Johnson went about his business. In prep school basketball, kids are at schools for two main reasons: to get looks by colleges and to correct academic miscues. Winning and competing can sometimes take a back seat at this level. Not for Johnson.

When the game got tight, he muscled up and competed at a level higher than anyone else on the floor. More than once he sternly sealed his man, made a power move to the rim and finished with authority. To the average eye, it might have been just another kid taking care of business, but that wasn’t the case. To us, it seemed like a good player hinging on becoming a great one.

Johnson has great tools to work with. He’s ruggedly built, extremely athletic and skilled. He’s seeming to put all of the pieces together and is beginning to play consistently with the kind of game that could one day put cars in the garage and food on the table and it couldn’t come at a better time.

The pickings are so slim among big men right now that Johnson warrants a call from every school with an available scholarship tabbed for a prospect his size and position. Last week he was a blip on the radar, a name people seemingly forget in their hunt for the best unsigned players. Now, he’s a runaway missile looking for a destination.

Washington PF drawing national attention

Josh Heytvelt, a 6-foot-9 junior power forward from Clarkston (Wash.) High, is an extremely gifted big man who would be the top prospect overall in the west if not for the presence of Marvin Williams. With a great frame, a terrific stroke and nice hands, Heytvelt oozes upside. It's no surprise that he's hearing from most of the top schools around the country.

Heytvelt told us that he hasn't really formed a list yet. He says he's open to any school, from any region of the country and he plans on taking his time with the process. He said he would probably take five visits.

When we asked if he'd given much thought to the criteria for choosing a school, Heytvelt said, "I want to go someplace with the best chance of winning a national championship. So, schools like Duke, Kansas, Indiana, Gonzaga, Arizona, Oregon -- but I'm open to anyone right now."

Heytvelt told us that early playing time isn't a big deal for him. He also told us that, while Clarkston is a small town, he's not necessarily looking for another small town environment. "It doesn't matter," said Heytvelt. "I don't care if it's a big city or small town."

Heytvelt told us that he has a 3.0 GPA and he's currently awaiting results on his PSAT.

-- Greg Hicks, PrepWestHoops.com

Class of 2003 checklist

Arnaud Dahi, SF, Life Center: He scored 28 points in the win, but was most impressive was how he flourished during the second half while playing with four fouls. He scored from everywhere, caught fire from three-point land and led his team to an impressive victory. Life Center was dead in the water at halftime when they trailed by 14 and dropped three games at the War On The Shore last week but Dahi wouldn't let them lose. Dahi is unsigned.

Martin Iti, C, Mount Zion: The Charlotte-bound prospect had some foul trouble throughout this one and eventually fouled out. He scored five points and had five rebounds. Now, understanding Mount Zion's guard don't do a very good job of getting him the basketball, at 6-foot-11 he's got to do a better job of creating chances on his own. He was a perfect 2-for-2 from the field when put in a position to score so the Warriors need to feed him more.

Konimba Diarra, C, Our Savior: He's come a long way and will only get better before he makes his way to South Florida. Last year at this time Diarra was an offensive project. Now, if you dump it to him low he can turn and face and hit short jumpers. Get it to him and he's got an idea what to do with it. In our eyes, he's made some nice strides from the time when he was just a rebounder and shot blocker.

J.R. Pinnock, SF, Coastal Christian: He scored 30 points and probably could have hit for 40 if he made his free throws. Pinnock is a driver by trade and was his team's only legitimate scoring option since Ray George wasn't in attendance.

Sam Ashalou, SF, Love Christian: He went for 31 versus Ocala Shores Christian. He's a power perimeter player. He's best when he's posting on the blocks and using his muscle to score close to the rim. He's got mid-major potential and hails from Canada.

Gaston Moliva, C, Ryan Academy: Against Bonner Academy he put together a nice stat line. He scored 14 points (none in the second half), had 9 rebounds and 8 blocks. He's a strong player who challenges shooters. Get it to him and he'll dunk it, otherwise he's not generating much offense. Probably a mid-major spring recruit. Hails from Cameroon.

Tristin Martin, SG, Love Christian: The native of Canada is in his fifth season and second with a North Carolina-based school. He's still a super athlete with amazing leaping ability. He's playing the point for his team but that's not his strength. He's a driver by trade and his jumper remains inconsistent.

-- Dave Telep, TheInsidersHoops.com

Class of 2004 checklist

Tello Palacios, PF, Our Savior: Another super effort from the big fella. He missed just four shots and went for 21 points and eight rebounds. The weight he's lost has allowed him to be lighter and quicker on his feet but he's retained his inside scoring touch and his face-up game is coming around. Glen Dandridge, SG, Mount Zion: He was making NBA-length three-pointers against Life Center. In fact, he connected on 5-of-10 shots from downtown. He finished with 17 points. He catches and shoots well with nice form and speed. Just a terrific shooter.

Mohamed Tangara, C, Mount Zion: He finished with nine points and four rebounds. From the line he went three for six. It seems like he's had difficulty getting on track offensively this season. Again, his teammates do a poor job of getting him the rock, but that doesn't mean he can't be a dominant rebounder.

Arturas Jomantos, SF, Laurinburg Institute: The 6-foot-6 Lithuanian is strong and savvy. He passes well and plays with a good hoops IQ. He'll turn it over some but he's being aggressive. Jumper needs to become consistent from deep but he's got a chance to be a solid mid-major player.

-- Dave Telep, TheInsidersHoops.com

Class of 2005 checklist

Colby Santos, SF, Tabor Academy: David First will have a good team on his hands by mid-year despite playing with tons of underclassmen and Santos is a main reason why. He's a nice looking 6-foot-5 wing athlete who has savvy and can pass, handle and shoot.

Asiam High, PG, Word of God: It's way too early to project a level for him because he's tiny right now. With that said, the 5-foot-9 (maybe) and 150 pounder (maybe) can really stroke it. He made five threes in a win.

-- Dave Telep, TheInsidersHoops.com

 

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