Sean Banks, 6-7 185, Englewood, NJ
WVU’s #1 overall recruiting target enjoyed a great week in Hackensack. Banks has become one of the hottest prospects in the nation over the last three months and it’s easy to see why. He's silky smooth on the offensive end, with most of his success starting on the perimeter. His shooting range extends well past the three-point line, but he can also work towards the basket in several different ways. Banks looked most comfortable at the shooting guard position.
As you might expect, WVU is battling most of the elite schools in the country for Banks. Rutgers, Syracuse, Pitt, Maryland, Seton Hall, St. John’s, and UConn are just a few of the many schools involved.
At this point, Banks appears to be intrigued by the possibility of immediate playing time that WVU is offering, and continues to prominently mention the Mountaineers as a possible selection.
Bobby Nash, III, 6-6 190, Honolulu, HI
Certainly one of the hottest prospects in the country at this time. A native of Hawaii, Nash starred in all the games we saw him play this week.
Nash could play any number of positions including point guard. He looks and plays very similar to Francisco Garcia, who signed with Louisville last year, in both his game and face. Although his father is an assistant coach at the University of Hawaii, Nash said he’s open-minded about where he attends school.
“I’m hearing from WVU, Pepperdine, Hawaii (at the dinner table), Oregon, San Diego, and others. Right now I’m wide open about schools.”
Bobby Nash, III is exactly the style of player that the WVU staff craves. Look for the Mountaineers to pull out all stops to try and land this fast rising, multi-talented prospect.
J.R. Smith, 6-6 205, Lakewood, NJ
A tremendous two-sport athlete who has expressed a desire to play both football and basketball at the college level. WVU has already offered Smith, a wide receiver, in football. Smith certainly raised his stock as a basketball player, at this camp. In the two games we watched, Smith shot at an unbelievable clip, raining 3’s from all over the court. Smith finished as the second leading scorer at the camp with a 20.0 average.
Vern Hamilton, 5-11 175, Richmond, VA
Vern attempted to do too much in the camp all-star game, but overall enjoyed a great week. Hamilton was featured in an earlier interview. UVa may be the team to beat here.
Camp Notes:
One player who caught the attention of this observer is Andrew Francis, (6-7 200) swingman from Houston, TX. Francis is a multi-skilled player that could play several positions. In out interview with Francis he indicated schools such as Houston, Baylor, Kansas State, Kent State and others were involved. This is one prospect WVU should be all over as he fits the bill in what the Mountaineer staff is looking for.
Another perimeter player who caught our eye is Justin Jonus (6-7 200) forward from Boaz, AL. Jonus showed a great attitude, deadly stroke out to 3-point range, a good court savvy and wasn’t afraid to mix it up around the basket. Jonus told us Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee and others had all offered.
Richmond Heights, Ohio swingman Reggie Harwell, II is also being recruited by the new Mountaineer staff. Harwell is a 6-6 185 swingman who possesses a sweet stroke out to 20 feet and a great willingness to improve. Harwell typifies the type of player Coach John Beilein likes to put on the floor. Harwell plays with a lot of passion and shows multiple ways to put the ball in the hoop. Harwell said he is hearing the most from Dayton, Kent State, Pittsburgh, Cleveland State, Iowa and others.
In the underclassmen all-star game junior bigman Glenn Davis, a 6-8 335 man-child from Baton Rouge, LA, brought the house down with his hip-hop, wiggle-jiggle act. Davis, who always has a huge smile on his face, started playing to the crowd by twisting and dancing while in the lane and brought everyone, including Sonny Vaccaro to their feet laughing. The kid is a good basketball player, but could be a scary-good defensive lineman.